Planters members donate picnic tables

From left, Kade, Racheal and Blake Johnson enjoy a relaxing moment sitting around one of the tables purchased through an Operation Round Up Grant sponsored by Planters EMC. (Photo contributed)

Whether it's for soccer games, play time or ball practice, people gather at Jenkins County's recreation complex throughout the year. During most events, spectators can be found gobbling up concession stand goodies and parents often watch their children scramble about the nearby playground. Recreation department director Lisa Daily says that at some point everyone seems to use the picnic area in the middle of the grounds.

"There is a child out there everyday at some point playing on the playground, and their parents usually sit and watch from the tables," recreation department director Lisa Dailey said. "People also go out there to eat lunch. They like to get outside and get away from the office."

This fall, spectators and picnickers will find a nicer place to sit and eat thanks to a grant from Planters Electric Membership Corporation's (EMC) Operation Round Up program. Planters EMC members provided a $2,000 grant to buy sturdy new tables to replace the old ones that had become unusable.

"We wouldn't have been able to buy the tables without the grant. It's a wonderful program," Dailey said.

Planters EMC's Operation Round Up program awards grants every three months for local causes and projects. Members of Planters EMC provide the money for the program by rounding their electric bills up to the nearest dollar and giving the difference back to the community. This summer, more than $14,000 in grants was awarded for area civic and educational projects, such as buying the new picnic tables as well as helping the Jenkins County Booster Club support local athletes.

Applications for the next round of grants are now being accepted and must be turned in by Friday, October 10. For more information, visit www.plantersemc.com or call 478-982-4722.