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!
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.
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.
Here are recent individuals and groups in Walton EMC’s 10-county service area that have benefited from Round Up funds:
Anders Soccer Club Youth Outreach,$1,000
Community impact soccer camps for children. Clarke and Oconee counties
Comics Appreciation Project, $1,500
Share-Care Books project that provides graphic novels to children during medical or family crisis. Barrow, Clarke, Oconee and Walton counties
Georgia Options, $5,000
In-home assistance for people with disabilities. Barrow, Clarke, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Morgan, Oconee, Rockdale and Walton counties
Goodwill of North Georgia, $12,500
Transportation stipends for jobseekers. All of Walton EMC service territory
Heirborn Servants Inc., $4,000
Transportation assistance for single, low-income mothers. Barrow, Clarke, Dekalb and Gwinnett counties
YMCA of Winder, $5,000
After-school care program. Barrow County
Emergency assistance for three individuals, $29,080
Heirborn Servants Project Manager Tiffany Castro, left, accepts an Operation Round Up donation from Walton EMC Communications Specialist Morgan Spivey. The funds will help to provide transportation for single mothers and trafficking victims.
The Cancer Foundation Inc., $15,000
Financial assistance program covering basic living expenses and treatment for cancer patients. All of Walton EMC service territory
Eagle Ranch, $7,000
Counseling sessions for at-risk children and their families. All of Walton EMC service territory
StepByStep Recovery, $15,000
Housing for individuals and veterans suffering homelessness, drug or alcohol abuse. Gwinnett County
See for yourself how small change from Operation Round Up changes lives.
Video »
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.
Call (770) 267.2505 to speak to a Customer Care Representative from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.