Southwest Rural Electric’s charitable foundation, Operation Round Up (ORU), awards grants to organizations in SWRE’s service area at the end of each year. The most recent grant recipients included:
- Altus Fire & EMS
- Electra Volunteer Fire Department
- First Methodist Church of Vernon Mission Kitchen
- Grace Child Development Center
- Great Plains Literacy Council
- Kamay Volunteer Fire Department
- Life Services at Pathways
- Navajo FFA
- Navajo Technology Student Association
- Nehemiah Initiative of Altus
- Operation C.A.R.E. of Jackson County
- Operation C.A.R.E. of Tillman County
- Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group – Head Start
- Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group – Safe Haven
- Tillman County EMS District
- Tillman County Food Bank Foundation
- Tipton Chamber of Commerce
- Tipton Public Schools –Writing
- Tipton Public Schools – Academic Team
- Tipton Public Schools –Math
- Vernon Meals on Wheels
- Warren Senior Citizens
- Wilbarger County Child Welfare Board
- Wilbarger St. Church of Christ Food Pantry
TOTAL GRANTS AWARDED IN 2024 = $45,000
Grant distributions are made possible by SWRE members who voluntarily “round up” their monthly electric bills to the nearest whole dollar. An enrolled member donates an average of 50 cents a month ($6 a year) to ORU. Funds from billing accumulate over the year and are given back to local organizations and nonprofits.
“ORU funds stay right here in SWRE’s service area,” said Rebecca Chambless, director of marketing. “Donations come in from our members and are returned locally to organizations who are enhancing the quality of life in our communities. That’s the cooperative difference.”
Since the foundation launched in 2018, ORU has given $309,888 back to SWRE communities.
SWRE members who are not enrolled in ORU can begin “rounding up” their bill at any time. Currently enrolled members are invited to join ORU Plus, where they can give beyond the monthly “rounded up” change and customize their donation to five dollars, ten dollars, or more each month. Call member services at 1-800-256-7973 to join SWRE in giving back!