Midwest Electric recently donated $15,000 to 18 west-central Ohio charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Community Connection Fund.

Thanks to the 90% of members who round up their electric bill and donate to this fund, Midwest Electric has provided $1.4 million to local charitable causes since 1998.

The latest CCF grant recipients include:

• Silver Birch Foundation; $500 to help fund the Black Ties and Silver Bells Charity Gala.
• Invincible Fire Company; $2,000 to purchase MARCS radios.
• New Knoxville Class of 2029; $1,000 to provide financial assistance for the Washington D.C. trip.
• Minster Historical Society; $500 to help fund the production of a video documentary.
• Wapakoneta Family YMCA; $800 to fund the outdoor play space for the Child Development Center.
• St. Marys Middle School; $500 to provide funding for the Makers Read & Care community service project.
• The St. Marys Community Armory; $1,000 to replace windows in the Armory.
• St. Marys Township Fire Department Association; $1,100 to purchase fire training equipment.
• Auglaize County Crippled Children and Adults; $500 to provide assistance for special needs people of Auglaize County.
• Auglaize County Community Emergency Response Team; $1,000 to assist residents of Auglaize County during their time of need.
• Wapakoneta High School Post Prom; $200 to provide a safe after prom for Wapakoneta High School students.
• Knights of Columbus Council 1800; $300 for the diaper drive to benefit the Choosing Life Pregnancy Center.
• Sawyer Overman Memorial Ninja Park; $1,000 to build a Ninja Warrior Course in Fort Recovery.
• Celina Elementary School; $750 to purchase communication devices for the classrooms.
• Mercer County Reentry Coalition; $850 to assist incarcerated people transition back into their communities.
• Foundations Behavioral Health Services; $1,000 to fund the Mercer County Youth 2 Youth Retreat.
• Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics; $1,000 to purchase a speaker system for the Shrine Courtyard.
• Lincolnview Bible Board; $1,000 to provide financial assistance for a trip to the Ark Encounter.

Photos of each recipient can be found on Midwest’s Facebook page.

The Midwest Electric Community Connection Fund is a voluntary charitable program.  Participating members monthly electric bills are rounded up to the next dollar, with the additional pennies deposited in the Fund.  A Board of Trustees, composed of nine cooperative members and separate from the Midwest Electric Board of Trustees, oversee the application and allocation process.

Individuals or organizations can obtain an application by contacting Midwest Electric at 1-800-962-3830 or visiting midwestrec.com/community-connection-fund.