The Mille Lacs Community Trust Board recently awarded $23,000 in grants to local nonprofits through its Operation Round Up program. This program allows Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative members to round up their electric bill payments to the nearest dollar, with all proceeds going back to the community. Since its inception, the initiative has distributed over $1.7 million in grants.
Recent recipients include:
– Advocates Against Domestic Abuse (HOPE)
– Aitkin American Legion Post 86
– Aitkin Area Team for Alzheimer’s
– Clearwater Forest Camp and Retreat Center
– Gabriel’s Home
– Lakes Area United Way
– Mille Lacs Area Health Foundation
– Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Group
– Riverwood Auxiliary
– Roger Up
Members of the board include Marge Agnew, Kim Waffensmith, Bethany Sellers, Mark Heggam, Marna Wahl, Bob Nelson, and Doyle Jelsing. Applications for grants can be obtained by contacting Deb Chute at 218-927-8221 or 1-800-450-2191. Applications submitted a week before the quarterly meetings will be considered at that meeting, while later submissions will be addressed at the next meeting.
MLEC operates as a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative, serving over 13,000 members in parts of Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Mille Lacs counties.
