Your Operation Round Up® Foundation awarded a total of $39,155 in grants during their February meeting to organizations and individuals in need. The Lumpkin County Family Connection received $15,000 to help fund four Family Advocates.

Family Advocates are housed in local schools, and provide services and case management to families who are living in poverty, at risk of abusing or neglecting their children or experiencing other crisis situations that affect their children. Family Advocates provide them with food and clothing, help the families develop plans to help their children succeed in school and link these families with other agencies who can provide assistance. Anita Middleton, Lumpkin County Family Connection executive director, says the advocacy program has been in place for approximately 12 years, and it's been a difficult time with state and federal funding cuts. "This grant is most gratifying and makes us feel like the work we're doing in the community is valued. This is the support we needed right now."

$4,380 — Two families
Rent assistance

$3,311 — Individual
Assistance with purchase of wheelchair lift after automobile accident

$883 - Disabled husband and wife
Rent assistance

$15,000 — Lumpkin County Family Connection
Family Advocates program

$10,000 — Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County
Purchase a van to transport children attending the Club

$5,640 — Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia
Girl Scout membership assistance to 100 underprivileged girls in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin and Madison counties

Operation Round Up funds can be used to provide meals to the elderly, provide assistance for disaster relief and to support organizations and agencies with special program needs.

Grant Applications Available

Organizations and individuals are now applying for Operation Round Up (ORU) grants. You or a community organization may also be eligible for an ORU grant.

Any individual or organization in any of the counties served by Jackson EMC may apply for an ORU grant. The following are included in Foundation guidelines: non-profits, community-based or volunteer organizations, civic organizations, shelters, schools, hospitals, families and individuals.

Applications from organizations should target program support. Causes covered by these grants can include human need; education and development; family enrichment; literacy; health education, awareness and advocacy; and medical or disaster-related emergencies. Individuals and organizations may receive only one grant award from the Foundation each year. Awards are generally limited to $3,500 for individuals and $15,000 for organizations.

Please visit the Operation Round Up home page or call 706-367-6295 for more information.

Please visit www.jacksonemc.com/roundup or call 706-367-6295 for more information.