One Year into Operation Round Up, Jackson EMC Members Contribute $810,000

For Immediate Release October 20, 2006

In the first year of contributions to their Operation Round Up program, Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) members have put more than $810,600 back into area communities to improve the quality of life and help those less fortunate.

"It's very appropriate that the program's anniversary comes during National Co-op Month," says Jackson EMC president/CEO Randall Pugh. "By each person contributing a small amount and using the strength of their numbers, our members have been able to make a significant difference in the lives of their neighbors. This has been a real cooperative effort on their part, and I am so proud of the work that they are doing."

Begun in October 2005, Jackson EMC's Operation Round Up program allows members to have their monthly electric bill rounded up to the next dollar amount, with contributions ranging from a penny to 99 cents and averaging $6.00 per year per member. More than 90% of the cooperative's members contribute to the program.

Money from Operation Round Up goes into the Jackson EMC Foundation, where a volunteer citizen board reviews grant requests and decides where the funds will be spent.

"Our board has been diligent in its review of grant applications, asking questions about the use of funds and making certain that our members' money is being well spent," Pugh notes. "They have focused on helping people who have no other resources and organizations that can respond to basic human needs in the community."

In its first year of operation, the Foundation approved grants to 76 organizations and 20 individuals. Applicants must live in or serve one of the 10 counties in Jackson EMC's service area, but do not have to be members of the cooperative. Organizations that have received grants range from agencies assisting seniors, families and the homeless to organizations focused on child protection and development. Grants to individuals have ranged from assistance in obtaining wheelchair lifts to replacing a furnace for a single-income family.

"Our Foundation board members attend as many of the grant check presentations as they can, and have been deeply touched by the appreciation shown for our members' assistance," Pugh says. "They wish that each member contributing to Operation Round Up could see that gratitude."

A complete list of all grants made by the Jackson EMC Foundation can be found at www.jacksonemc.com/roundup, along with grant applications and guidelines.

"I believe our members can take great satisfaction that the small change they are contributing is making such a big difference in the lives of others," comments Pugh.

Jackson EMC serves more than 186,900 individual accounts, or more than 197,000 meters, in 10 Northeast Georgia counties, including Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe.

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