Operation Round Up grant recipients
North Georgia EMC members participating in Operation Round Up® (ORU) made it possible for the North Georgia Electric Membership Foundation Inc. (NGEMF) to award just over $17,000 in grant money to nine different community organization projects, which are listed below. Through ORU, customers may choose to round up their monthly electric bill to the next dollar, so the spare change can be collected in a separate fund used to benefit worthwhile community causes. Here's a look at each agency chosen to receive grants at the January 2013 ORU meeting of the NGEMF:
Junior Achievement of Northwest Georgia received $2,650 to help implement the Junior Achievement Means Success ( JAMS) after-school program for middle schools in Floyd, Gordon, Murray and Whitfield counties. JAMS uses real-world business challenges, a team approach to solving issues and experimental field trips to help increase graduation rates, workforce development and financial literacy.
James H. Floyd State Park received $2,650 to help pay for a new utility vehicle. The vehicle will assist with search and rescue, maintenance of remote scenic areas, educational activities and park beautification.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattooga County received $2,500 to help with startup funds to pay for items and construction material needed to begin a Boys & Girls Clubs of America chapter in Chattooga County.
Prevent Child Abuse Gordon County Inc. received $2,000 to help add grandparent/relative caregiver families to its existing program. The caregiver families help prevent child abuse through parent education, support groups, child care, parent/child activities, information and referral, and case management.
Helping Hands Food Pantry Inc. received $1,700 to buy food to distribute to lowincome families in Gordon, Murray and Whitfield counties who find it difficult to provide for themselves in times of hardship.
Atlanta Community Food Bank Inc. in Floyd County (ACFB) received $1,700 to increase the amount of food it buys, recovers, sorts, packs and distributes to its nonprofit food agency partners in Floyd County.
Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) received $1,700 to provide weekend food assistance to disadvantaged school children in Whitfield County. Funds will be used to buy food for kids to eat over the weekend in a program called Saturday Sacks.
Catoosa County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) received $1,100 to build a shelter to house CERT members and others during inclement weather and to promote CERT at community events and emergency incidents.
The Cottage/Family Crisis Center received $1,000 to replace furniture, household items and activity center supplies. The Cottage provides residential shelter for neglected and abused boys and girls from Catoosa, Murray, Walker and Whitfield counties.