Polk-Burnett’s Operation Round Up awarded $17,482 to help 21 community programs this summer. A new foster care closet in Burnett County, a treatment court program in Polk County that helps people earn GEDs and rebuild their lives, and other local nonprofits received a financial boost this quarter, thanks to the generosity of Polk-Burnett and its electric co-op members.

Funding for Operation Round Up is donated by members of Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative who round their monthly electric bill up to the next even dollar amount. Grant recipients are selected quarterly by a committee of co-op members, with financial donations awarded to nonprofit organizations that improve our local quality of life.

“Polk-Burnett is pleased to support many worthy programs through Operation Round Up, and we thank our members for their participation and generosity. Operation Round Up aligns with our co-op values and together, we are making a difference in our community,” said Polk-Burnett General Manager Steve Stroshane.

Grant recipients for summer 2019 are:

1. Grantsburg Area Historical Society, $399, museum signs
2. Clear Lake Area Community Center, $1,000, door upgrade for safety and security
3. Polk County Home and Community Education, $500, early childhood books
4. Siren Police Department, $1,000, laptop for squad car 
5. Farm, Feral & Stray, $633, free spay/neuter program
6. Clear Lake High School, $1,000, mental health education, suicide prevention
7. St. Croix Falls Police K9 Association, $1,000, new K9 program
8. North Land Municipal Ambulance, $1,000, two motorized stretchers
9. Moms and Dads Against Meth, $1,000, Butterfly House, a sober residence for women
10. Polk County Criminal Justice Collaborating Council, $1,250, treatment court
11. Arnell Memorial Humane Society, $1,000, kennel repairs and renovations
12. Luck Agricultural Education, $350, hydroponic system for school greenhouse
13. Kinship of Polk County, $1,000, recruit and train mentors for local youth
14. Grantsburg Community Education, $850, food and activities for STAR mentor program
15. Amery Area Historical Society, $1,000, visual display and archives
16. Burnett County Family Resource Center, $750, new table and chairs
17. Burnett Youth Hockey Association, $500, dividers for ice rink
18. Burnett County Foster Closet, $1,500, backpacks with clothing and personal care items
19. St. Croix River Association, $500, snowshoes
20. North Wood and Waters, St. Croix Heritage Area, $500, online event calendar
21. Grantsburg Revitalization Operation (GRO), $750, splash pad for community pool

Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for a grant or co-op members who’d like to round their bill up in support of Operation Round Up may contact 800-421-0283 or our Operation Round Up webpage. The next application deadline is September 1.

Top photo:  Burnett County Foster Closet received a $1,500 grant from Polk-Burnett’s Operation Round Up. L-R: Polly Imme and Peggy Moore, Burnett County Foster Closet; Phil Stiemann and Joan O’Fallon, Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative; and Alma Karels, Operation Round Up board.

Polk County Criminal Justice Collaboration Council received a $1,250 grant from Polk-Burnett’s Operation Round Up for its treatment court program. L-R:  Merle Bergren, Operation Round Up board; Kristin Boland, Polk County Criminal Collaboration Council; and Mindi Spofford, Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative.