Operation Round Up helps startup of Cycling Without Age in Amery
Cycling Without Age is a global movement that started in Denmark. It engages older adults and anyone unable to cycle with safe, free, trishaw rides. This improves the health and emotional well-being of passengers and volunteer cycle pilots. The Amery chapter of Cycling Without Age was started by Wanda Rimestad in January 2024. The first two electric-assist trishaw bikes arrived July 10, and volunteers are being trained as pilots. Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up donated $1,000 toward the trishaw program in April. Volunteers said when you see a trishaw in the community, be sure to smile and wave! For more information, contact cwaamery.org.
22 local nonprofits receive $20,250 from Polk-Burnett Operation Round Up
Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up program awarded $20,250 to 22 local nonprofits in July.
Summer grant recipients are:
1. Amery Area Historical Society, $1,000, classroom tables and chairs
2. Sterling, Eureka & Laketown Historical Society, $1,000, video camera and editing software
3. Friends of Frederic Library, $1,000, summer reading program for youth
4. Party for a Lifetime, $1,000, financial help for local people with cancer
5. Osceola Elementary School, $500, shelves for pre-K classroom
6. Grantsburg Public Library, $1,000, dedicated area for teens
7. Moms and Dads Against Meth, $1,000, Butterfly House sober residence for women
8. Kinship of Polk County, $1,000, recruiting and training volunteer mentors, group activities
9. Amery Power Lifting, $250, lifting equipment and fees to attend state and national meets
10. The Salvation Army, Polk County $1,000, food backpacks for students in Polk County
11. The Salvation Army, Burnett County, $1,000, food backpacks for Siren students
12. Polk County Dept. of Children and Families, $1,000, gas cards for families
13. Centuria Public Library, $1,000, summer reading program
14. Frederic Senior Community Center, $1,000, automated external defibrillator
15. Amery Woman’s Club, $1,000, Read Across America books for Amery second graders
16. Osceola Wheels & Wings, $250, line striping machine
17. Gift of Warm Clothing, $1,000, coats and winter clothing for local families
18. Friends of Larsen Family Public Library, $1,000, early childhood STEM reading program
19. Grantsburg Area Historical Society, $1,000, storage equipment for history room at library
20. Siren Schools, $250, furniture for K-12 media center
21. Mental Health Task Force of Polk County, $1,000, first aid training
22. Family Pathways, $2,000, food and produce for Frederic and St. Croix Falls food shelves
“We are proud to support community programs according to our co-op values,” said Polk-Burnett General Manager Steve Stroshane. “We’re grateful to our members for their participation in Operation Round Up; your generosity makes a significant impact to so many organizations and families in our area.”
Operation Round Up grants are donated by members of Polk-Burnett who round their monthly electric bill up to the next even dollar amount. Operation Round Up grant recipients are selected quarterly by a co-op member board of directors.
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 visit our Operation Round Up webpage. The next application deadline is September 1.
