Operation Round Up

$10,457,007.42

Total Operation Round Up Dollars Raised

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

The concept is to extend the principle on which electric cooperatives were built more than 90 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.

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.

Board members volunteer many hours to make sure Operation Round Up funds are spent in the most responsible way.

Operation Round Up® Recipients

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

$10,000

Home Repairs Ministries

location Gwinnett County

Funding to support home repairs that may be larger than a routine volunteer project can handle.

$3,000

Lekotek of Georgia

location Barrow, Clarke, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Morgan, Newton, Rockdale & Walton Counties

Funding to provide scholarships to families in our service area for their play/learning program.

$5,000

Reach One U.S. Corporation

location Barrow, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale & Walton Counties

Funding to assist residents through food distribution, youth outreach activities & community support programs that aim to promote long-term success.

$15,000

Rotary Club of Oconee County

location Clarke, Oconee, Walton & Greene Counties

Funding to support the building of handicap ramps for home access as a service to the community.

$2,500

Special Olympics of Georgia

location All of Walton EMC's Service Area

Funding to support the athletes attending the Winter Games.

$6,500

Willing Helpers Clinic

location Barrow, Clarke, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Morgan, Oconee & Walton Counties

Funding to allow for free dental care days to uninsured adults in our area.

$2,181

Assistance to two individuals

Updated September 24, 2026

Representatives of Across The Bridge, a local nonprofit that serves individuals recovering from addiction and other life-changing circumstances, accept one of the grants that helped Operation Round Up exceed $10 million in giving. From left: Across The Bridge Executive Director Glenn Yankowski; Walton Electric Trust Board members Kylie Myers and Patti Ruiz; Walton EMC’s Kathy Joiner; and Across The Bridge’s Robert Colbert.
Since 1998, Operation Round Up has awarded thousands of community grants to local organizations. Among the most recent recipients is Athens Area Diaper Bank, which provides diapers to low-income families. From left: Walton Electric Trust Board member Cindy Haddon; Athens Area Diaper Bank Director of Development Kelsey Ripley, Executive Director Erin Campbell and Operations Manager Shona Foster; and Walton Electric Trust Board member Penny Warren.
Because One Matters, which supports children in the foster care system with resources and confidence-building experiences, is among the most recent recipients of an Operation Round Up grant. From left: Pete Ervin, Walton EMC; Because One Matters board members Tray Leslie and Raechell Dickinson; Because One Matters CEO Andrea Barclay; board member Lucy Mejia; and Walton EMC’s Sara Beddington and Kathy Joiner.

Sign Up Online

Apply for Funds:

*Please note: Applicants may request support from one program – either Operation Round Up or Walton EMC Charitable Giving. Learn more about our other program here.

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 call: 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.