A Gift Worth Giving | OEC News

In February, the OEC Foundation approved $62,000 in grants to local organizations and families. Grants are made possible thanks to thousands of members who choose to round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar each month. Their generous donations go towards Operation Round Up (ORU), a program that provides funds for worthy causes throughout our service area.

“I think in today’s world, we think big companies just make big money for themselves, but we are a member-owned organization, and we’re just paying it forward,” said former ORU president Vickie Gray. “It is an astronomical reward to know that everything we take in, we’re going to give back.”

The Virtue Center in Norman received over $3,000 for client packets and the American Legion Post 88 received $1,500 for Easter baskets for community children.

The board granted over $7,000 in individual grants, which will provide a refrigerator, furnace, plumbing work and accessibility remodeling for families in need. Individuals also received assistance with eye care and purchasing hearing aids.

Approximately 80 percent of our members choose to round up their monthly bills, with the change going towards the OEC Foundation board to disburse. On average, this amounts to $6 per year per member, which helps support various causes and programs.

The Foundation board is responsible for carefully reviewing and selecting organizations and projects that will have the most impact, and OEC is proud to support such worthwhile initiatives.

“Our grants help larger organizations expand their reach to help more people who are struggling,” Gray said. “It’s wonderful to see how far just a few dollars given every month can go.”

Over the last 27 years, ORU has awarded more than $5 million in grants to various local nonprofit organizations. These organizations provide vital services to their communities, including meals, clothes, Christmas gifts and more. 2418300501

In addition to providing essential services, these organizations build community cohesion and support networks. As a result, the impact of ORU’s grants goes far beyond the immediate recipients. By supporting these organizations, ORU is helping to create stronger communities and making a difference.