Mountain View Electric Association, through its program, Operation Round-Up, has awarded $887,470 to organizations and individuals since 2000. The majority of the monies have been presented to organizations, but individuals and families in need have benefited as well.According to the MVEA Web site, “Operation Round-Up was formed to assist nonprofit organizations, communities with special needs and individuals who have suffered from personal disasters, such as a fire, tornado or medical emergencies.”Recipients must be members of MVEA or the receiving organization must serve MVEA members.Funds are not awarded for political or religious purposes or to pay electric bills.The monies are collected through the generosity of participating members. “Seventy to 71 percent of the bills are rounded up to the next dollar,” said Judith Kinsel, technical assistant for MVEA and Operation Round-up coordinator. “It adds up to about $6 per year (tax deductible) for each account.”Kinsel said the program has already collected $41,215 this year and doled out $15,286.81 to organizations and $8,000 to individuals and families. According to the program bylaws, $10,000 must be retained in the fund for emergencies or shortfalls.People who live in the MVEA service territory, which encompasses 5,000 square miles, are encouraged to apply.It’s a program that Kinsel serves well. “Can you tell,” she asked. “I just love my job.”In May, Operation Round-Up donated the following:Donald Wescott Fire Protection District$5,000 to purchase life saving equipmentKilmer Elementary School$3,500 to purchase handicap friendly structures for the playgroundLincoln County EMS Council$5,000 to help repair non-working repeaters for the fire and ambulance servicesMonument Academy High School$5,000 to purchase boy and girl uniforms and sports equipmentPikes Peak Community Action Agency$5,000 to be used in the Calhan office to assist with lower-income familiesSix District 49 schools$2,000 each to purchase Automated External Defibrillators for the following schools:Evans Elementary, Falcon Elementary, Falcon Middle, Horizon Middle, Meridian Ranch Elementary, and Woodmen Hills Elementary. Operation Round-Up granted $2,000 to Falcon High school for the purchase of an AED in November, 2004.The following grant monies were distributed to individuals and families:$771.31 to assist an elderly, diabetic woman for the replacement of a non-working range and the repair of brakes on her car$200 to assist an elderly woman with past-due propane bills$2,000 to assist a disabled couple with the purchase of a replacement mobile home for one completely destroyed in a fire$2,000 to assist a young, single mother, also newly disabled, with past-due bills
