Local Organizations Among First to Receive Grants from Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (July 1, 2007) – Several local non-profit organizations are among the first to be awarded $30,000 in grants from the new Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation.
Those receiving grants included: Alleghany Memorial Hospital, $5,000 to help with the purchase of an Ultrasound machine; Alleghany Wellness Center, $2,500 for a fitness program to address youth obesity; Ashe County Rescue Squad, $8,000 to help with the purchase of a specialized all-terrain vehicle to use to transport patients in remote areas and in search and rescue operations, Ashe County Sharing Center, $2,000 to purchase food for distribution to needy families in the county; Caldwell Senior Center, $2,000 for its Medicare prescription drug assistance program; Communities in Schools in Caldwell County, $2,800 for its after school program that targets at-risk students; Sugar Grove Developmental Day School, $5,000 for construction of an exit ramp to improve safety; and Western Youth Network, $2,700 for its after school program that includes at-risk students.
The Foundation was established by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation last year to support the work of community organizations providing services and programs that improve the overall quality of life for the members and communities served by Blue Ridge Electric. Projects in the areas of health and wellness, education and youth, economic and community development, and quality of life are the Foundation’s priorities.
Funds come primarily from Operation Round Up, where members round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar. The Foundation also recently received a donation from Blue Ridge Energies, the cooperative’s heating fuels subsidiary.
Funding decisions are made by a Foundation Advisory Committee which is made up of 12 representatives from across the Blue Ridge Electric service area.
Non-profit agencies that serve members in the four Blue Ridge Electric districts, Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell and Watauga counties, are eligible to apply for grants. Two agencies in each of the counties were awarded grants during the first cycle this spring. The second grant cycle will be held in the fall; the deadline for submitting applications is September 30.
“Blue Ridge Electric is excited to be a part of improving the quality of life and to be able to serve the community in yet another way in the true cooperative spirit,” said Doug Johnson, chief executive officer. “As member contributions to Operation Round Up increase, the amount of funds that the Foundation can grant to community organizations will grow and greater numbers of our members will benefit from their services. This is a true example of members helping members.”
Blue Ridge Electric serves some 70,000 member-owners in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Alexander and Wilkes counties.
Anyone with questions about the Foundation, and agencies that would like to apply for grants may contact Patty Wheeler, foundation manager, at 1-800-451-5474, ext. 4207.
