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Sawnee EMC supports many through Round-Up program
Sawnee

CUMMING — A Cumming-based utility recently donated $24,550 to 13 charities and about $7,784 to seven teachers through a yearly program.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation runs its Operation Round-Up Program by asking members to round-up their electric bill each month to the next-highest dollar, donating the extra change to the Sawnee Foundation.

All of these funds are then donated back as charitable grants throughout its seven-county service area.

The average donation a member makes annually is $6, said Cindy Badgett, director of external affairs for Sawnee EMC. Nearly $1.8 million has been donated since the program’s inception in 2003.

The charitable organizations that received funding are:

* The Salvation Army

* Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Club

* Abba House

* Sawnee Women’s Club

* St. Vincent de Paul in Dawson

* North Fulton Community Charities

* Rachel’s Gift Inc.

* House of Hope North Georgia

* The Place of Forsyth County

* Friends of Cherokee County Public Library

* Mentor Me North Georgia

* Sequoyah Instrumental Music Foundation (SIMF)

* Children’s Center for Hope and Healing

The teachers who received funding for Bright Ideas grants in classrooms work at the following schools:

* Holcomb Bridge Middle

* Piney Grove Middle

* Kilough Elementary

* South Forsyth High

* Black’s Mill Elementary

* Kelly Mill Elementary

* Riverview Middle

Interested applicants are required to submit an application to the Foundation Board of Director for consideration. Applications are reviewed by the board quarterly.

An organization must be located “generally in the area served” by Sawnee EMC and provide a service within the local community to be eligible for the grant.

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

For more information on Operation Round-Up, contact Cindy Badgett at (678) 455-1399 or cindy.badgett@sawnee.com.