Planters EMC rounds up contributions

From left, Jenkins County Extension Agent Wade Parker accepts a $2,000 grant intended for a 4-H laminating machine from Planters General Manager Matt Brinson and Operation Round Up Board Chairman John Roy Clifton. (Photo contributed)

At the last meeting of the Planters EMC Operation Round Up, board members approved applications for grant funds totaling $18,000. In a little over six months since the cooperative started the program, Planters EMC has contributed more than $23,800 to local communities through Operation Round Up.

Organizations receiving grants included: Jenkins County 4-H - grant of $2,000 to pay for laminating equipment for student projects; Augusta Technical College - grant of $2,600 for GED test fee scholarships for Burke County students; Jenkins County Hospital - grant of $2,500 for heart monitoring equipment; Jenkins County Board of Education - grant of $2,500 to start JROTC program at high school: Elam Baptist Church - grant of $1,500 for AWANA derby teaching race track: Make-AWish Foundation - grant of $2,000 for wish of child cancer patient: North Jenkins Volunteer Fire Department - grant of $2,400 for radios: Millen Rotary Club - grant of $1,500 for park picnic tables: Veterans of Foreign Wars - grant of $1,000 for monument.

"We will use this grant money to purchase a laminating machine so kids can laminate their projects," said Jenkins County Extension Agent Wade Parker. "We currently have to go across the street to the high school, but this will be a lot better for our kids."

Operation Round Up funds are collected by rounding up member's bills to the nearest dollar amount. A few cents a month adds up to a lot when a lot of people participate in the voluntary program. The amount each monthly bill is rounded up to is never less than a penny and never more than 99 cents with the average being around 50 cents per month.

Applications for grants can be down loaded from plantersemc.com website or by contacting Paula Adams at 478- 982-4722. Application deadline for the next round of grants to be disbursed is Friday, July 13, 2007.