Due to the generosity of over 30,000 REC member-owners, 22 local organizations were recently awarded grants totaling nearly $93,000.
Through The Power of Change, REC member-owners either round up their bill to the next whole dollar, make a one-time donation or give a set monthly amount. Those donations are then awarded twice each year to nonprofits and charitable organizations throughout the communities REC serves.
Recipients of The Power of Change fall 2021 funding awards include:
Care for Humanity, Inc., Stafford County, received $2,000 to provide afterschool meals for students.
Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, Frederick County, received $7,000 to build new trails that will allow the public to enjoy the outdoors in the Shenandoah Valley.
Congregational Community Action Project, Inc. (CCAP), Winchester, received $5,000 to continue to help keep people housed.
Culpeper Cavalry Museum, Inc./Museum of Culpeper History, Culpeper County, received $2,000 to cover expenses for two years to allow the opportunity to build and promote this program.
Culpeper Food Closet, Culpeper County, received $5,000 to maintain the Culpeper Food Closet on Thursday afternoons/evenings. The funds will purchase food from local stores to meet the needs.
Essex County Museum & Historic Society, Essex County, received $1,465 to pay for 100 books that will be donated to school libraries and other community organizations.
Ferst Readers of Fauquier County, Fauquier County, received $3,600 to help provide 100 books and literacy resources for children monthly.
Front Royal/Warren County CCAP, Warren County, received $1,200 to purchase office printer, supply paper, ink and service contract.
Greene Care Clinic Inc., Greene County, received $4,838 to cover the cost of comprehensive eye exams and services for 35 uninsured patients over a 12-month period.
Greene Commons, Greene County, received $3,300 to purchase permanent sunshades on the east side of the pavilion to provide protection from the sun, maintain a comfortable temperature and make setup safer.
HOPE3 Ministries Inc., Caroline County, received $2,025 to provide Holiday Feast Boxes filled for 50 distressed families in the community.
Hospice of the Piedmont, Culpeper County, received $2,000 to increase support services, specifically for those that are patient-focused.
Leashes of Valor, Caroline County, received $15,000 to assist in providing a 10-day training class at no cost to four post-9/11 veterans who suffer from PTSD and other conditions and their new service dogs.
LTLL Global Ministries Inc. – Harvest Missions Outreach Center, Warren County, received $5,000 to purchase new curriculum from Hazelden Publishing, drug test kits and support materials.
Madison County Library Inc., Madison County, received $4,048 to support six to 12 groups of four learners per group. Children can work at their own level to create robots that move.
Middletown Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co. Inc., Frederick County, received $8,028.60 to replace outdated swift-water rescue and safety-gear equipment.
Paul Stefan Regional Maternity & Education Center, Orange County, received $4,958.82 to purchase laptops for six women.
State Fair of Virginia Inc., Caroline County, received $814 to purchase seeds to plant for both on-site planting for the children and a garden starter kit with seeds to be sent home for each family. It also will enable the fairgrounds to add sensory garden components to the exterior of the garden.
The Journey Home Inc., Louisa County, received $3,500 to purchase materials and equipment for the construction of a play area for young children at the transition home.
Wilderness Food Pantry, Orange County, received $2,000 to replace an outdated refrigerator and freezer.
Winchester Little Theater Inc., Winchester, received $5,000 to assist WLT4Kid program, a summer theater for kids and by kids.
Zion Church of Fredericksburg Inc., Fredericksburg, received $5,000 to serve nonperishable items to lower-income communities in the Rappahannock region.
“These awards were made possible because of the contributions made to The Power of Change, REC’s member-funded charitable program,” said Casey Hollins, Managing Director – Communications and Public Relations. “Their generosity has a significant impact on their community as the funds help local organizations provide necessary services.”
REC members who would like to help make a difference in their communities can learn more at myrec.coop/power-change. Donations can be a set monthly amount, a one-time donation or members can have their bill rounded up to the next whole dollar.
Nonprofits looking for funding can submit an application for The Power of Change by Feb.10 for the spring 2022 round of awards. Applications can be found on REC’s website at myrec.coop/power-change.
