Operation Round Up® is a program that rounds up members’ monthly electric bills to the next whole dollar amount. The resulting funds are put into a special account to assist others in need. The funds collected through Operation Round Up are used for a variety of projects, programs and items throughout the Nodak service area. The Round Up board meets quarterly and considers each application that has been received since the previous meeting. It awards funds to the applicants based on how well the application fits the original funding guidelines: 1) Individuals or families in crisis; 2) Services – ambulance and fire; 3) Community youth needs with emphasis on permanent benefit; 4) Scholarships with emphasis on reeducation of displaced agricultural people; 5) Senior needs with emphasis on permanent benefit; and 6) No requests for funding of utility and space heating energy will be accepted.

Operation Round Up is a voluntary program with roughly 60% of the 14,961 members participating. Since the program started, a total of $985,446 has been distributed to individuals and organizations throughout the Nodak Electric service area.

2020 Recipient Summary of Operation Round Up

• Briton Coppdege – funds will assist with the purchase of medical equipment.
• Michael Dorsher – funds will assist with the purchase of a hospital-type bed.
• Fayme Stringer Henry – funds will help create a community garden and orchard space where people can come together from all walks of life to socialize, garden and learn self-sufficiency skills.
• Alverna LaPorte – funds will help offset the cost of handicap renovations to her home.
• Pembina County Backpack program – funds will help supply hungry youths with easy-to-prepare meals and snacks for the weekend. The program is solely funded on monetary donations.
• Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota – funds will help the program offer information/resources and gain community engagement and insight to address the needs of local community members who have Alzheimer’s or dementia.
• Collin LaVallie – funds will assist with the cost of a handicap lift for his family vehicle.
• Clara Beaton – funds will assist with the cost of an interactive whiteboard to help Clara interact virtually and participate in classroom group activities.
• Farm Rescue – funds will support the Farm Rescue mission of helping family farms and ranches continue to operate after experiencing major injury, illness or natural disaster.
• Kennedy Thorsgard – funds will assist with the cost of physical therapy sessions.
• Valley Senior Living Foundation – funds will help purchase an Eversound group listening system.