Mille Lacs Energy Trust Board awards grants

The Mille Lacs Community Trust Board meets quarterly to distribute funds raised through Operation Round Up. This March, the board awarded $29,800 in grants to local non-profit organizations including: Aitkin County Fair Foundation, Aitkin Grad Blast, Aitkin County Habitat for Humanity, Aitkin County Rivers and Lakes Fair, Central Lakes College Food Pantry, local food shelves (Aitkin, Aitkin Community, Cuyuna, Garrison, McGregor, Family Pathways, Palisade, St. James), Home and Away Ministries, Jaques Art Center, Lakes Area Interfaith Caregivers, Mille Lacs Lake Senior Activities, Nexus-Mille Lacs Family Healing and New Trails Group, Onamia Depot Library, Onamia Fire and Rescue Department, Onamia High School Prom Committee, Relationship Safety Alliance-Louise Seliski Shelter, Smiles for Jake, United 4 Recovery.

The total amount of grants awarded since the start of Operation Round Up has surpassed $1.5 million.

Operation Round Up is a voluntary program at Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative where members round-up their electric bill payment to the nearest dollar. All the funds raised go into the trust fund which is donated back to the community. Board members include: Lisa Anderson, Kim Waffensmith, Mavonne Prokop, Bethany Sellers, Charles Schotzko, Becky Joerger, Bob Nelson and Doyle Jelsing.

To receive a trust application, contact Deb Chute at 218-927-8221 or 800-450-2191. The Trust Board meets the second Wednesday in March, June, September and December. Applications are accepted at any time.