Operation Round Up

Operation Round Up® is Walton EMC’s community assistance program.

The concept is to extend the principle on which electric cooperatives were built over 85 years ago –– neighbor helping neighbor –– and as a cooperative to follow one of our core principles, which is commitment to community.

The program is a simple and rewarding way for our customer-owners to raise money for local charities, needy individuals and service organizations.

Read about Operation Round Up reaching $5 Million in donations here!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you elect to participate, your monthly electric bill will be “rounded up” to the next dollar. For example, if your bill is $52.51, you’ll pay $53.00. The extra 49 cents goes to a special fund administered by volunteer co-op members through the Walton EMC Trust. You’ll give an average of 50 cents a month or $6 a year. Any administrative costs are absorbed by Walton EMC, so 100 percent of your donation is used to make life better. And the Trust’s bylaws specifically prohibit paying electric bills with the money you donate. It’s also tax deductible.

Becoming an Operation Round Up donor is easy! Sign Up with this form. You can discontinue your contribution at any time.

Your monthly bill shows how much is being contributed to Operation Round Up. In December, your bill will have a yearly total for tax purposes.

The Trust Board

Members of the Walton Electric Trust Board are named by Walton EMC’s Board of Directors. Each co-op board member selects a trust board member from the district he or she represents.

The trust board volunteers many hours to make sure Operation Round Up funds are spent in the most responsible way.

Board members are (top row, from left): Glenn George, Bill Feldkamp, Henry Hibbs, Stephanie Higgins, Gloria Berry, Deedra Leach, Ed Pollard and Don Hardison. Bottom row, from left: David Foy, Patti Ruiz, Janice Knight, Sylvia Byrd, Sandra Roberts and Nancy Abbott. Not Pictured: Latasha Archer.

Operation Round Up® Results

Here are recent individuals and groups in Walton EMC’s 10-county service area that have benefited from Round Up funds:

Adults Pushing Forward, $1,000.
Self-sufficiency education for displaced youth. Newton, Rockdale and DeKalb counties.

Angel House of Georgia, $5,100.
Assistance to women overcoming drug or alcohol addiction. All of Walton EMC territory.

Books for Keeps, $5,000.
Summer reading books for low-income students. Clarke County.

Burn Foundation of America, $7,500.
Supplies and services for burn patients. All of Walton EMC territory.

DIVAS Who Win Freedom Center, $10,000.
Intervention, education and advocacy for female survivors of addiction, prostitution and sex trafficking. Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Walton and Rockdale counties.

Family Promise of North Fulton and DeKalb, $10,000.
Homelessness program. DeKalb County.

First Book Club 165, $7,525.
Books for low-income status elementary school. Gwinnett County.

Helping Mamas, $10,000.
Car seats and portable cribs for low-income families. Barrow, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale and Walton counties.

Hi-Hope Service Center, $10,000.
Medications/prescriptions for adults with intellectual disabilities. Gwinnett County.

Hope Haven of Northeast Georgia, $5,500.
Defibrillators for group homes housing adults with developmental disabilities. Clarke, Oconee and Walton counties.

Love.Craft Athens, $6,000.
Creativity and job skills programming for adults with developmental disabilities. Clarke, Oconee and Walton counties.

Mercy Health Center, $6,500.
Healthcare services for low-income and uninsured people. Clarke, Barrow and Oconee counties.

Monroe Walton Center for the Arts, $9,000.
Healing Arts program. Walton County.

Prevent Child Abuse Athens, $5,000.
Parenting classes. Clarke and Oconee counties.

Skye Precious Kids, $7,200.
Medical equipment for children with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities. All of Walton EMC territory.

Walton County Master Gardeners Extension, $5,500.
Greenhouse. Walton County.

Words of Comfort Ministries, Inc., $8,400.
Tutoring for foster children. Gwinnett County.

The board approved assistance to two families totaling $14,955.

Funds from the Walton EMC unclaimed capital credits account provided:

Faith in Serving Humanity (FISH), American Red Cross of Northeast Georgia, Atlanta Community Food Bank and StreetWise Atlanta, $52,500.
Emergency food, shelter and medical needs.

Sign Up Online

Watch:

See for yourself how small change from Operation Round Up changes lives.
Video »

Apply for Funds:

Walton EMC is accepting applications for the next distribution of Operation Round Up funds. Non-profit community-based organizations and individuals in need in the 10-county area served by Walton EMC are eligible to apply. Applications are reviewed by the trust board, and a decision is then made on disbursement of funds.

Or contact: Kathy Joiner, 770.266.2353, to receive an application by mail.


Contact Us

Call (770) 267.2505 to speak to a Customer Care Representative from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.