The board of directors of the Wood County Electric Charitable Foundation recently met to consider grant disbursements to a host of charitable organizations that applied for funding. 8 local organizations, representing a broad cross-section of interests and demographics, were awarded $64,000 for projects and programs that serve the citizens of Wood County Electric Cooperative’s 9-county service territory.
The WCECF is funded by WCEC members through Operation Roundup, whereby members donate pennies each month. When added together, these donations from across the cooperative’s entire membership allow for a significant impact on the communities. The cumulative amount given to local groups since the first donation in 2017 has now reached $155,000.
The recipients of these most recent 8 checks, and the projects they will fund are: Grand Saline Public Library ($1,000) for outreach with a summer pop-up library; Winnsboro Center for the Arts ($1,000) to reduce performance costs; Children’s Advocacy Center of Van Zandt County ($5,000) to fund child therapy for victims of neglect and abuse; Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals ($5,000) to help with funding gaps for the medical care of children; Northeast Texas Choral Society ($10,000) to help purchase risers and a conductor platform; Communities in Schools of Northeast Texas in Titus and Franklin Counties ($16,000) to provide resources to make school more accessible and affordable for children and families; Hawkins ISD Education Foundation ($14,000) to award grants to teachers for implementation of innovative programs within the school district; and the Rotary Club of Winnsboro ($12,000) to help further completion of an accessible public playground to allow inclusion of children who have mobility or other challenges.
About these donations, Debbie Robinson, the Foundation’s Executive Director said, “The Operation Round Up program is assisting our humanitarians, service groups and art support groups in furthering their work, which in turn adds richness to our communities. Every region needs vibrant groups like these, and each of these groups depend on donations and fundraising. Together, through their generosity, our members are ensuring all of this good work is achievable.”