Operation Round Up puts another $95,080 into Communities

Taking an active role in demonstrating the cooperative principle of “Concern for Community,” the customer-owners of Walton EMC are sharing $95,080 to support area organizations and their projects.

Co-op members participating in the Operation Round Up community assistance program voluntarily round their monthly electric bill to the next whole dollar. The resulting change — an average of 50 cents per month per contributor — rolls into a charitable fund to support local charities, needy individuals and service organizations. The giving program has distributed more than $8 million since it began in 1998.

Featured Recipient: Heirborn Servants

Going the distance “It all comes back to my mom, who is my hero,” says Jon Lewis, founder of Winder-based Heirborn Servants, which teams with area nonprofits to help low-income, single mothers who are survivors of trauma.

The organization’s Give Rides program provides safe, reliable transportation for getting women and their children to the places that matter. Lewis knows first-hand the di erence the gi t of a car made when his own mother was struggling to raise five children on her own.

A car from Give Rides helped Carla escape a physically abusive relationship and regain her independence. Casey, a human tra cking victim, receives rides to and from recovery meetings. For Betty, a recovering addict and mother of a physically/mentally disabled son, a gi ted car enables her to attend recovery meetings and get her son to doctor appointments. She’s also giving back by providing rides to others.

By mid 2023, Give Rides had gi ted 105 vehicles and over 7,882 Ly t rides. A $4,000 grant from Walton EMC’s Operation Round Up community assistance fund will provide more rides for women in Barrow, Clarke, Dekalb and Gwinnett counties.

“Everyone knows someone who is a single mom or trauma survivor. The women we serve could be your sister, aunt, friend or neighbor,” said Ti any Castro, Give Rides program manager. “Through the gi t of transportation, they can go the distance.”

The Walton Electric Trust Board met and approved the following grant awards:

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

Organizations receiving funds from Walton EMC’s unclaimed capital credits account are:

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