A new year of charitable giving is underway through SVEC’s Operation Round Up program, as 10 area organizations will be awarded grants in February.
The total amount given for this round of grants will be $19,000. Applications are available online for the next set of awards, due on May 1.
Funding for grants comes from a corporate contribution from SVEC and an increasing collection of cents that are rounded up from members’ bills. Any co-op member can volunteer to round up their monthly bill, turning monetary change into real-life transformation for the Valley. On average, a member rounds up $6 a year in support of the program. Click here to learn more.
The February grant recipients, as decided by a committee of co-op members, are:
Augusta County
Augusta County Historical Society: For “Making Books Available Digitally,” a project to make out-of-prints books and other publications pertaining to important area history available digitally.
Jones Garden: For supplies and materials to support its 2024 growing season.
LEARN English and Reading Now: To purchase books and other resources for tutors working with area residents who are either non-English speakers wanting to learn English, or native English speakers who struggle with their reading and writing skills.
Ride with Pride: For general expenses of its therapeutic-riding program, plus scholarships to students.
Frederick County/Winchester
First Presbyterian Church: For the Helper Fund, which provides emergency assistance to resident in Winchester and Clarke and Frederick counties.
Godfrey Miller Home: For its Congregate Affordable Meal Program, serving lunches to older adults with limited financial means in the greater Winchester area.
Rockingham County
Elkton Area United Services: To help clients with electric bills.
Our Community Place: For transportation-related expenses when taking community members to appointments, job interviews, drug and alcohol treatment facilities and more.
People Helping People: To assist clients for past due utility bills.
Page County
Arise: To prepare and deliver hot, home-cooked meals to area clients, and buy food from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.