People Fund
Give a little. Help a lot. Neighbors helping neighbors with spare change.
Your spare change goes a long way when you share it through the North Central Electric Operation RoundUp program. By voluntarily rounding up the member-owner's electric bill payment to the next dollar each month, North Central's 9,200 consumers makes a big difference with small change in our local area.
These pennies, nickels and dimes help raise thousands of dollars every year. And these dollars are used to help our neighbors in the same communities served by North Central Electric. Health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects benefiting students in our local schools, child care programs and individuals with special needs are just some of the organizations already aided with Operation RoundUp donations.
The North Central People Fund was established in January 1999. In just four years, 90 grants totaling more than $180,000 have been issued throughout the Co-op's service territory.
Every penny donated by North Central Electric members is put to good use in community projects. A small administrative cost to run Operation RoundUp is absorbed by North Central Electric Cooperative.
Electric cooperatives across the nation are adopting the Operation RoundUp program because it gives their members a simple way to help their communities. Nearly half of Ohio's electric cooperatives have a similar program. Across the nation, more than 100 electric cooperatives are involved in Operation RoundUp. At North Central, it's called the "Power of Human Connections."
What happens when you participate in Operation RoundUp?
A typical member's monthly bill comes to $86.46. We round it up to $87. The extra 54 cents goes directly to the North Central Electric People Fund, a trust fund set up to handle Operation RoundUp contributions. Statistics from the 100 electric cooperatives administering a RoundUp program, show the average roundup for each member is just 50 cents a month - about the cost of one daily newspaper or a cup of coffee. Each month, the member's bill shows an amount listed for Operation RoundUp.
What if I don't want to contribute?
Approximately 80 percent of North Central's eligible consumers are participating in the program. If for any reason members choose not to participate, it's simple to let us know. You may opt out of or into the program at any time simply by calling us at (800) 426-3072 or (419) 426-3072 or enclose a note with your monthly bill payment.
How do I know how much of my bill is going to Operation RoundUp?
Your electric bill is printed with the usual information about your kWh use with one extra line that lists Operation RoundUp and the amount that rounds up your bill to the next dollar.
What happens to the Operation Round Up funds?
Every cent is deposited in the North Central Electric People Fund, Inc., a special trust fund, which is used only for helping people or groups with specific needs. These contributions can be considered tax deductible, charitable donations.
Who controls how this money is spent?
A separate board of trustees has been named from throughout the North Central Electric Cooperative service area. This board reviews and approves applications for assistance, based on demonstrated need and funds available. Political issues or campaigns are not eligible for grants from the People Fund.
Members of the North Central Electric People Fund Board are appointed to three-year terms by the Cooperative's Board Trustees. Their terms coincide with the three-year terms of the Co-op's Board of Trustees. Members of the People Fund Board of Trustees and the areas they serve are listed below:
District 1 - John Schimpf - Crawford County and territory to east.
District 1 - Mary Wurm - Crawford County and territory to east.
District 2 - David Schilling - Wyandot County and territory to west.
District 2 - George Eyestone Jr. - Wyandot County and territory to west.
District 3 - Evelyn Phillips - Thompson, Reed, Venice townships and territory to North and East.
District 4 - Carolyn Price - Adams, Scipio, Bloom townships and territory to North.
District 5 - Mike Watson - Eden, Clinton and Pleasant townships and territory to North.
District 6 - John Walter - Seneca, Hopewell, Liberty townships and territory to North.
District 7 - Cheri Brown - Jackson, Loudon, Bib Springs, and territory to North and West.
Members are informed about projects chosen for funding by the People Fund through Country Living magazine, articles in local newspapers and on our website.
What kind of projects is our money spent on?
Eleven North Central members who lost their homes in the November 10, 2002 tornado received $1,000 emergency grants from the People Fund. Fire departments in New Washington, Clinton, Old Fort, Lykens, Bascom, Sycamore and Chatfield received money for turnout gear, air tanks, safety videos, emergency lights, pagers and water rescue gear. The Wyandot County Historical Society received money to help restore the historic Overland Inn in McCutchenville, while the Mohawk Historical Society received aid to replace two old picture windows. The Sycamore Community Library was able to buy some new furniture.
A noted and talented children's author visited Seneca East elementary classes thanks to a grant. Playground equipment in McCutchenville and at the Angeline School and Industries near Upper Sandusky were upgraded. The Attica Independent Fair erected new fencing around the fairgrounds, while the Seneca County Fair Board used a matching grant to build handicap ramps to their grandstand.
The People Fund has also assisted members in need. Families in New Washington and Venice Township each received checks for $1,000 from the North Central Electric People Fund to help defray expenses after their homes were gutted by fire. In both cases, the People Fund Board of Trustees conducted emergency meetings and issued a check within one week of their fire.
The People Fund Board sets guidelines for evaluating applications. This project is successful because every penny is spent on enhancing the quality of life for residents of our local area, and the Co-op has agreed to pay any necessary administrative costs (such as copying and postage) as North Central Electric's own contribution.
How much money is raised from Operation RoundUp?
Based on an average contribution of 50 cents per month from each of North Central's 9,200 meters, approximately $5,600 a month is contributed. We hope every member will participate, because the more people participating, the more we're able to help.
How can you apply? When will grants be disbursed?
The People Fund Board of Trustees meets quarterly, in January, April, July and October. The deadline for grant applications is the end of the preceding months -- March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
For more information, contact the Cooperative's Member Services Representative Diane Wise at 1-800-426-3072 or 1-419-426-3072 or email her at ncememberservices@fesco-oh.org.
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