Local non-profits are busier than ever helping residents in our community with rent, clothing, food and educational resources. This is possible because of generous donations from people like the Sawnee EMC members who participate in the Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up Program. They voluntarily round up their Sawnee bill, donating the extra change to the Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation to enrich the lives of others.

Through its Operation Round-Up program, the foundation recently awarded $17,700 to five local charities and another $15,423.07 to 13 schools. The local charitable organizations receiving funds are:

1. ConnectAbility – funds used to purchase a portable AED;

2. The Marcus E. & Sharon B. Gunter Foundation – will use their grant to purchase food to distribute to Forsyth County families in need;

3. Forsyth County Lions Charities Inc. – will use their grant to assist Forsyth residents in need of eye exams, glasses and hearing aids;

4. Reaping Nature Educational Outreach Foundation Inc. – will use their grant to purchase books and educational materials; 

5. Variety – the Children’s Charity of Georgia – will use their grant to install a van lift for a child with Spina Bifida.

The “Bright Ideas” classroom grants were awarded to:

1. Cumming Elementary: Stacy Lemons and Amalina Hernandez;

2. Desana Middle: Jessica Strader;

3. Freehome Elementary: Carmen Power;

4. Alliance Academy for Innovation: Nick Crowder;

5. Black’s Mill Elementary: Angela Sparks;

6. West Forsyth High: Michael Yeager;

7. Whitlow Elementary: Michelle Reynolds, Michelle Rowand, Kathy Brott, Tara Mullen, and Amanda Meadows;

8. Liberty Middle  - Katie Jenkins.

Interested applicants are required to submit an application to the Foundation Board for consideration. In order to qualify for a grant, the 501 (c) (3) charity must be located in Sawnee EMC’s service area and/or provide services within the area. Teachers may also apply for funds through the Bright Ideas program, which is part of Operation Round-Up.  A public or private teacher is eligible to apply for funding as long as the school he or she teaches is within the Sawnee EMC service area.