CUMMING — Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation recently awarded $26,126 to eight area charities, including organizations in Forsyth County, through its Operation Round-Up.

The program collects charitable donations from members of Cumming-based Sawnee EMC who voluntarily make the decision each month to round-up their electric bill to the next highest dollar.

All of the funds are then returned to the community. The average donation a member makes annually is about $6.

“These small, yet generous, donations have allowed the Foundation Board to donate almost $1.8 million back into the communities since inception in 2003,” said Cindy Badgett with Sawnee EMC.

The charitable organizations that received funding are:

* Safe Boat Lake Lanier Inc.

* Stand UP for Kids North Fulton Initiative

* Leukemia Lymphoma Society

* American Legion Post 307

* Dawson County Wee Books

* G. Cecil Pruett Community Center Family YMCA

* Next Generation Focus

* Home Repairs Ministries

Interested groups must apply to the foundation’s board of directors for consideration. Applications are reviewed by the board quarterly.

In order to qualify for a grant, an organization must be located generally in the area served by Sawnee EMC and provide a service within the local community.

Teachers may also apply for grant funds through the Foundation’s Bright Ideas Program, which is part of Operation Round-Up.

For more information, contact Badgett, director of external affairs, at (678) 455-1399 or cindy.badgett@sawnee.com.