News Summary

Palmetto Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up program has distributed over $66,000 in grants to local organizations across Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Notably supported include the Gullah Museum and Jasper County Council on Aging. This community initiative, funded by cooperative members rounding up their bills, has raised over $10 million since 1989, benefiting numerous community services essential for wellness and education.

Beaufort: Palmetto Electric Cooperative Distributes $66,000 in Community Grants

Palmetto Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up program has recently provided over $66,000 in grants to various local organizations in Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties. This initiative allows cooperative members to round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar, thereby funding community initiatives.

Last month’s funding highlights include:

• Gullah Museum: $16,000
• Hilton Head Island Recreation Association: $13,800
• Jasper County Council on Aging: $18,000
• Lowcountry Legal Volunteers: $11,000
• Med-I-Assist, Inc.: $7,500

These contributions support essential services like cultural enrichment and food delivery for senior adults, making a significant impact on the community.

According to Tray Hunter, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at Palmetto Electric Cooperative, “The positive impact of member contributions cannot be overstated.”

Since its inception in 1989, Operation Round Up has raised over $10 million. Currently, approximately 86% of the cooperative’s 80,000 members participate, contributing an average of $6 annually. The program benefits various community needs including food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and education.

In addition to the recent grants, the Palmetto Electric Trust awarded 12 teachers in Jasper County through the Bright Ideas grants program. This year, a total of 48 grants will significantly benefit over 8,000 students in southern Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties. The trust received 91 grant applications totaling over $82,265.

An upcoming luncheon will honor the teachers and administrators who received these grants. The Bright Ideas grants program has distributed over $375,000 to local teachers since its launch. Funding for this program is supported by events such as the Million Dollar Hole-In-One Shootout and contributions from the Women Involved in Rural Electrification (WIRE) Chapters.

The recently held 2024 Annual Meeting of Palmetto Electric Cooperative registered 4,933 members, featuring business updates and educational initiatives. This year’s theme was “Energizing our students for a brighter future,” and the grand prize winner was Jordan Mole from Early Branch, who won a 2014 Toyota Tacoma.

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Additional Resources

• Bluffton Today: Palmetto Electric Presents Over $66,000 in Grants
• Wikipedia: Community Grant
• Bluffton Today: Celebrating a Brighter Future
• Google Search: Palmetto Electric Cooperative
• Savannah Now: Jasper County Teachers Win Bright Ideas Grants
• Google Scholar: Education Grants
• Island Packet: Local Education News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Grants in Education
• NWI Times: Opportunity Enterprises Receives $5,000
• Google News: Community Grants