When Northeastern REMC was founded in 1936, people joined together to build their own electric system because private power companies refused to serve rural areas. Continuing this principle of working together, we have implemented a program which helps co-op customers reach out to worthy causes in their communities and work together to help others. This program is called Operation RoundUp^®.

The way this program works is simple. Each month Northeastern "rounds up" the electric bills of participating members to the next highest dollar. For example, a bill for $83.76 would be rounded to $84.00 and .24¢ would be donated to the program from this bill. This program is strictly voluntary ­ if members don't want to participate, they don't have to.

All donations are placed in a trust fund and administered by the board of trustees of Northeastern REMC Community Trust, Inc. Funds gathered by the program are allocated for many types of worthy projects in Northeastern's service area. Funds are used to support not-for-profit organizations and individuals with critical needs.

Each member who participates will receive an annual summary of their contributions on their December bill. All contributions to Operation RoundUp^® are tax-deductible. On the average, each member contributes approximately $6.00 per year. The whole concept of this program is "Small change that changes lives". For more information, call Northeastern at 244-6111 or 625-3700, or email us.

The following organizations received funds from Northeastern REMC's Operation RoundUp^® program in 2007:

Whitley County Council on Aging and Aged, Inc.: $1,500
For start-up funds.

Northeastern REMC Spirit Program: $350
To fund program needs in 2007.

The Center: $1,500
For After-School Central assistant.

Union Township Fire Department: $250
To purchase three pair of firefighter boots.

InterFaith Mission, Inc./The Lighthouse : $600
For operational costs.

Camp Whitley, Inc. : $500
To sponsor 5K run/breakfast fundraiser for Camp Whitley.

Junior Achievement of Whitley County: $600
For finance park experience.

Marine Corps. Reserve Toys-For-Tots: $500
For expenses.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters : $500
To support the Lunch Buddies program.

Whitley County Literacy Council : $500
To purchase test and other study materials.