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Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation distributes over $50k back to local charities
Sawnee EMC stock photo
File photo.

The Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation is distributing over $50,940 back into the community through grants to local charities, educational projects and college foundation scholarships. 

According to a press release by the foundation, the funds were generated by Sawnee EMC members through the electric cooperative’s Operation Round Up program. Operation Round Up allows participating members in Dawson, Forsyth and the other counties Sawnee EMC services to round up their electric bill to the next dollar. 

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On average, participating members contribute about $6 per year. The money is directed into the Sawnee Foundation, and 100 percent of the funds are then distributed into the community through a series of grants by its voluntary board of directors. 

“The Foundation Board approved $23,290 for local charitable organizations, $5,153.81 for Bright Ideas classroom grants and $22,500 for local college foundation scholarships,” the release said. 

The first quarter grants include: 

Charitable organizations 

Good Shepherd Clinic stock photo
File photo.

  • The Good Shepherd Clinic of Dawson County, Inc. 

  • Recovery Community Foundation of Forsyth, Inc. 

  • Blessings in a Backpack of Forsyth County, Inc. 

  • American Legion, Post 307

  • Glory, Hope & Life, Inc. 

  • Teacher Reuse Exchange 

Bright Ideas 

  • Whitlow Elementary — Forsyth County 

  • Denmark High School — Forsyth County 

  • Indian Knoll Elementary School — Cherokee County

College and Technical School Foundation scholarships 

  • Gwinnett Tech Foundation, Inc. — North Fulton campus 

  • University of North Georgia Foundation, Inc. — Cumming campus 

  • Lanier Technical College Foundation — Forsyth County campus 

“Sawnee EMC members have a unique opportunity to support Operation Round Up and give back to their local communities,” Director of External Affairs Cindy Badgett said in the release. “Each month, approximately 15,000 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 $4.1 million back into local communities since its inception in 2003.” 

To learn more about Sawnee EMC Foundation’s Operation Round Up program, go to www.sawnee.com/oru. 


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