What can a few cents a month accomplish? For Central Electric Cooperative members participating in Operation Round-Up®, those small contributions have helped fund nearly 200 community projects across the cooperative’s service area.
Through the voluntary program, members donate their change by rounding up their monthly electric bill to the next dollar. The funds are then awarded as grants to local organizations by a volunteer board of trustees made up of cooperative members from across Central Electric’s service area. Several cooperative employees and board members also contribute to the fund, helping support projects that strengthen local communities.
Upon reviewing applications in May, the Operation Round-Up board of trustees approved the following grant awards:
- Canova Community Improvement Association: $1,200 for Ballpark Improvements
- Crow Creek Sioux Tribe: $1,500 for Little Bighorn Commemoration Event
- Davison County Area Rodeo Club: $1,000 for Equipment & Supplies
- EmBe: $1,200 for Girls on the Run in Brule, Davison & Hanson Counties
- Hanson County Child Protection Team: $500 for Open Closet Clothing Program
- Kimball Ambulance: $1,200 for Emergency Radios
- Kimball White Lake Teeball: $800 for Jerseys & Equipment
- Letcher Youth Program: $1,000 for Ballpark Improvements
- Rooted 23: $500 for Ethan School Hope Squad
- Stickney Community Foundation: $500 for Park Improvements
- Wessington Springs Senior Center: $600 for Facility Improvements
- Wessington Springs VFW Teener Baseball: $600 for Jerseys & Equipment
- White Lake Senior Citizens: $500 for Facility Improvements
“Since 2015, Operation Round-Up has supported 196 community-focused projects across our service area, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our membership,” said Tara Miller, manager of communications and Operation Round-Up coordinator for Central Electric. “We appreciate all participating members for rounding up to make this possible.”
Grants are awarded twice each year by a volunteer board of trustees representing Central Electric’s service area. Julie Dykstra of Stickney represents Aurora County, Clarissa Glaus of Chamberlain represents Brule County, Yvette Isburg of Fort Thompson represents Buffalo County, Steven Weisz of Mitchell represents Davison County, LeAnn Moe of Alexandria represents Hanson County, Amber Kolousek of Wessington Springs represents Jerauld County, Tami Moore of Howard represents Miner County, Dawna Van Overschelde of Letcher represents Sanborn County and Merl Bechen of Mitchell represents the board of directors.
At the May meeting, Aurora County Trustee Julie Dykstra was honored for volunteering on the Operation Round-Up committee from 2019-2026 and serving as the chairperson since 2021. Dykstra will reach the maximum term limit in September. Central Electric Director Duane Wolbrink will appoint a new trustee at that time.
The next deadline to apply for an Operation Round-Up grant is October 30, 2026. For more information, call Central Electric at 605-996-7516 or visit centralec.coop and click on Member Programs.