Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc., (CHELCO) does more than provide power to its members; thanks to its Operation Round Up program the electric cooperative was able to donate over $78,000 to charitable organizations in Walton, Okaloosa, Holmes and Santa Rosa counties.
Nearly 17,000 CHELCO members have opted in to participate in Operation Round Up. Members who participate round their monthly electric bill to the next whole dollar amount, and the spare change is distributed to non-profit organizations in our service area. The average contribution for members is around $6 per year and is noted on the member’s bill.
The 2022 recipients include American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Backpack Buddies of Baker Inc., Boy Scouts Of America, Boys And Girls Club Of DeFuniak Springs, Breaking Thru Ministry, Caring & Sharing Of South Walton, Children In Crisis Inc., Defenders Of Freedom Florida Inc., DeFuniak Springs Friends Of The Library, DeFuniak Springs Woman’s Club, Dog Harmony Inc., Emerald Coast Autism Center, Fisher House Of The Emerald Coast Inc., The Florida Chautauqua Inc., Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch, Freedom Life Compass Inc., Habitat For Humanity Walton County, Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, Main Street DeFuniak Springs, Niceville Valparaiso Chamber Of Commerce Foundation, Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum Of Care, Ronald McDonald House, Rotary Club of DeFuniak Springs, Rotary Youth Camp Of North Florida Inc., The Town Planters Society Freeport, United Way Of Okaloosa and Walton Education Foundation.
To date, CHELCO has supported additional programs including A Bed 4 Me Foundation Inc., Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation, Crestview Area Shelter For The Homeless, Cultivate Community Gardens, Food For Thought Outreach, Friends Of The Freeport Public Library, Healing Hoof Steps, Matrix Community Outreach Center Inc., Mid-Bay Rotary Club, Project Hope Recovery Center, Rally Foundation For Childhood Cancer Research, Tri-State Christian Camp, United Way Of Okaloosa and Westonwood Ranch.
Supported initiatives include areas of education, contributions to community quality of life, health and cultural arts. Organizations interested in applying can find grant guidelines and the online application at https://www.chelco.com/operation-round-up.
Members can opt-in to participate through the form online, by downloading the application and mailing it in with their next bill payment, or calling (850) 892-2111, or toll-free at (800) 342-0990.
