LPEA announces Round UP grants for July 2019
Four community non-profits benefit from LPEA community donation program
DURANGO, Colo. – The La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) Round Up Foundation has announced the grants to non-profit organizations awarded in July. Funding is generated when LPEA members opt to “round-up” their electric bills to the next highest dollar, plus additional contributions are welcomed as well through the Round Up Plus.
During the July Round Up Foundation board meeting, Round Up grants were made to Loaves & Fishes of Archuleta County, the Pagosa Springs Historical Museum, and the Upper San Juan Search and Rescue, with the Archuleta County Education Center receiving the “Educational Grant,” which is encompassed within the Round Up Foundation.
“The board always looks for the projects that can make the greatest impact to the community,” said Jeannie Bennett, LPEA public relations coordinator who facilitates the Round Up program. “We know that every little bit helps with our non-profit organizations, and we’re so pleased to be able to offer this program.”
During the July grant cycle, the LPEA Round Up Foundation received more $15,000 in requests for grants, but only $5000 was available for distribution.
Loaves & Fishes for Archuleta County was awarded $2,000. The organization services approximately 50 meals free of charge to those in need in Archuleta. The Round Up grant supplements the generous donations from local grocery stores and additional grants that support the mission.
The Pagosa Springs Historical Museum, which enjoys more than 2,500 visitors per year, received $1,057 for upgrades to the security at its facility, including installation of video monitoring system.
The Upper San Juan Search and Rescue was awarded $2,187 to aid in the team’s effort to help save lives and aid those in need. The highly specialized equipment to be purchased allows for backcountry transport of life support equipment. In 2018 the team completed 38 missions, providing care to approximately 50 people.
With the Educational Grant of $4,791, the Archuleta County Education Center will further the expansion of early childhood care and education, opening 280 spaces for children, ages 1 to 5 at the Wings Early Childhood Center. The community has raised nearly $1 million to initiate and fund the project, launched in 2018.
“We always have more requests than we can meet,” said Bennett. “The needs in our communities are great and we appreciate how generous our LPEA members are to contribute a few ‘cents’ to make significant ‘change.’”
LPEA has approximately 15,000 members (accounts) participating in the Round Up program, and of those 188 have opted into the Round Up Plus – adding additional dollars on their monthly electric bills to go to the Foundation. LPEA members can participate in the Round Up Foundation through the website, www.lpea.coop or call Customer Service at (970)247-5786 to sign up to “round-up.”
The LPEA Round Up Foundation board meets monthly to evaluate and award grants. Board members include representatives from all four of LPEA’s districts, with LPEA Board of Directors representatives Holly Metzler (District 1) and Joe Lewandowski (District 3) contributing to the decisions of the Round Up board volunteers.
LPEA, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative established in 1939, provides to its more than 30,000 members, with in excess of 43,000 meters, safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost, while being environmentally responsible. For additional information, contact LPEA at (970) 247-5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.