(CUMMING, GA) The Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation (Foundation), announced today that it will distribute more than $57,000 to local charities and Georgia certified teachers at schools located within Sawnee EMC’s service territory.  These donations are made possible thanks to Sawnee EMC members who round up their bill through Operation Round Up and the Sawnee Electric Foundation.

Operation Round Up allows participating members to round up their electric bill to the next dollar. The money is directed into the Sawnee Electric Foundation and 100% is then administered in a series of grants by its voluntary Board of Directors.  On average, participating members will contribute about $6.00 per year.

The Foundation Board approved $41,342 for local charitable organizations and $16,200.84 for the Bright Ideas Program which will help fund a Georgia certified teacher’s innovative program or project.

The 3rd Quarter grants are as follows:  

Charitable Organizations

• ALS United of Georgia, Inc.
• Champions Community Foundation, Inc.
• Boys & Girls Club of Lanier, Inc.
• North Fulton Community Charities, Inc.
• Fill Ministries, Inc. – dba Meals by Grace
• No Longer Bound, Inc.
• Fideles Christian School, Inc.
• Dawson County Wee Books Program, Inc.
• AboutFace USA, Inc.
• Dawson Community Food Bank, Inc.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia, Inc.

Bright Ideas: Schools and Teachers

• Cumming Elementary School – Christina Parrella
• Haw Creek Elementary School – Tasha Breunig
• Kelly Mill Elementary School – Laura Fedorchuk
• Poole’s Mill Elementary School – Erin Drane
• North Forsyth High School – Elisabeth Pinion and Charlotte Stevens
• Whitlow Elementary School – Dedra Kirkland, Jessica Nicholson, Michelle Reynolds, and Leslie Eaton
• DeSana Middle School – Gina Steffensen
• West Forsyth High School – Kristina Clark
• Denmark High School – Shelby Cochran
• Piney Grove Middle School – Cynthia A. Greiner
• Forsyth Central High School – Arrina Brasher

Each month, approximately 15,500 Sawnee EMC members round up their electric bill to the next highest dollar.  This extra change goes directly to the Sawnee Foundation and these small, yet generous, donations have allowed the Foundation Board to donate over $4.7 Million back into local communities since its inception in 2003.

To learn more about Operation Round Up Program and the Foundation, visit www.sawnee.coop/oru or contact Mandy Love, Director of Marketing, at 678-455-1579 or via email mandy.love@sawnee.coop.

About Sawnee EMC and the Sawnee Foundation

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Cumming, Georgia. Sawnee serves electricity to approximately 200,000 accounts in seven (7) counties of greater north Georgia. The Sawnee Electric Foundation was created in 2003 with the mission of providing charitable donations within the Sawnee communities. The Foundation exists to enhance the way of life for those in need, with financial assistance to selected charitable organizations. Sawnee always stands ready to meet the needs of its members and strives daily to live up to their motto…

“At Sawnee EMC, We’re More Than Electricity, We’re Service”.

_{This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.}