Members of Paulding Putnam recently donated $11,020 to nine local charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Operation Round Up program. 

Thanks to the 80% of members who round up their electric bill and donate to this fund, Paulding Putnam has provided more than $765,432 to northwest Ohio and northeast Indiana communities since 2010.

Participating members round up their monthly electric bill to the next dollar, with the extra pennies being used to help fund charities and groups in their communities. Each quarter, the funds are dispensed to local causes that applied for funding.

The most recent donation recipients include:

• Antwerp Local Schools: $1,500 to purchase an embroidery machine for the transitions class innovation center.
• Caring and Sharing Food Pantry (Paulding): $1,420 to purchase two tables and 16 chairs for the pantry’s community room.
• Community Revitalizing Paulding (CoRP): $1,000 to fund two signs for marking the Paulding Downtown Historical District.
• First United Methodist Church (Van Wert): $1,000 to purchase school supplies and personal hygiene items for their Operation Back to School program that supports preschool -12th grade.
• Lima Symphony Orchestra: $1,500 for the Young People’s Concert for area students.
• Paulding County Fall Festival: $2,500 to have bounce houses at the festival.
• Putnam County Council on Aging: $600 to purchase a power washer for the Chores Services program.
• United Way of Van Wert County: $500 to support the Day of Caring event.
• Vantage Career Center: $1,000 to support their Toss-A-Toy program where they purchase Christmas Gifts for local children.

Photos of each recipient can be found on Paulding Putnam’s Facebook page. 

Operation Round Up was started in 2010 as a way to give back to Paulding Putnam’s communities. Groups in both Ohio and Indiana can apply.

Organizations can apply for Operation Round Up assistance by contacting Paulding Putnam’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Samantha Kuhn, at skuhn@ppec.coop or visiting www.ppec.coop/operation-round. If you want to participate by rounding up your monthly bill, call Paulding Putnam’s office at 800-686-2357. The average member’s donation is about $6 per year.