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(CUMMING, GA)  The holidays are not just about receiving, but also giving; and recent actions taken by the Sawnee Electric Foundation (Foundation) are a prime example of this. The  Foundation announced today that it will distribute $36,553.38 to local charitable organizations and classroom projects with funds from the Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Program.

What is Operation Round Up?  Operation Round Up is a unique cooperative program that allows participating Sawnee EMC members to round up their electric bill to the next dollar… and donate that extra change to charity. Participating members usually contribute about $6.00 per year. The money collected through Operation Round Up is directed to the Foundation and 100% is then given donated out a series of grants, approved by its voluntary Board of Directors.

Cindy Badgett, Director of External Affairs states, “The Foundation is able to do good works in the community because of Sawnee EMC’s participating members.”  She further adds, “For Sawnee members interested in helping their local community with a contribution, Operation Round Up and the Sawnee Foundation is a wonderful option.”

The Foundation Board approved $25,386.31 for local charitable organizations and $11,167.07 for its Bright Ideas teacher grants. The 4th Quarter grants are as follows:

Charitable Organization Grants 

  • Hall-Dawson CASA Program, Inc.
  • Skye Precious Kids, Inc.
  • Rosa’s Gift, Inc.
  • Autrey Mill Nature Preserve Association, Inc.
  • Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, Inc. 
  • Senior Services North Fulton, Inc.
  • Sawnee Ballet Theatre, Inc.
  • Forsyth County Parks Foundation, Inc.

Bright Ideas Classroom Grants

  • Cumming Elementary School – Forsyth County
  • Chestatee Elementary School – Forsyth County
  • Riverwatch Middle School – Forsyth County
  • Forsyth County Schools, Special Education Development – Forsyth County
  • Dawson County Middle School – Dawson County
  • Dawson County Junior High – Dawson County
  • Denmark High School – Forsyth County
  • North Forsyth High School – Forsyth County

“Giving back to the community is a core cooperative principle and the Operation Round Up Program is a great way for Sawnee EMC’s members to give back locally,” states Blake House, Vice President of Member Services.

Each month, approximately 16,000 Sawnee EMC members round up their electric bill to the next highest dollar. This extra change goes directly into the Foundation and these small, yet generous, donations have allowed the Foundation Board to donate over $3.8 Million back into local communities since its inception in 2003.

To learn more about the Operation Round Up Program and the Foundation, visit www.sawnee.com/oru or contact Cindy Badgett, Director of External Affairs, at 678-455-1399 or via email cindy.badgett@sawnee.com.

About Sawnee EMC and the Sawnee Foundation
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation, a two-time J.D. Power recipient for best in customer service, is an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Cumming, Georgia. Sawnee serves electricity to approximately 187,000 accounts in seven (7) counties of greater north Georgia.  The Sawnee Foundation was created in 2003 with the mission of providing charitable donations within the Sawnee communities. The Foundation exists to enhance the way of life for those in need, with financial assistance to selected charitable organizations. Sawnee always stands ready to meet the needs of its members/owners. SEMC strives daily to live up to their motto…

“At Sawnee EMC, We’re More Than Electricity, We’re Service”.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.