Midwest Electric recently donated $15,025 to 21 west-central Ohio charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Community Connection Fund. The check presentation ceremony was held Oct. 27 at the co-op’s Member Appreciation Day, were members could hear each recipient give an update on how their funds would be used to benefit the local community.

Thanks to the 90% of members who round up their electric bill and donate to this fund, Midwest Electric has provided $1,347,304 to 1,147 local charitable causes since 1998.

The latest recipients of grants include:

• Historic Main Street of Van Wert, $1,100 for the National Bank clock project

• American Township Police Department in Allen County, $3,000 for the purchase of handheld MARCS radios

• Delphos Community Christmas Project, $500 to provide a “Happy Christmas” to needy children in the Delphos school district

• Lima Symphony Orchestra, $250 to support the Symphony Storytime program

• ACTS Character Academy, $500 to purchase classroom technology equipment

• The Arc of Allen County, $500 to replace the flooring in the daycare room

• Choosing Life Pregnancy Center of Mercer County, $1,000 to support training on a new ultrasound machine

• Fort Recovery Cheerleading, $500 to purchase new uniforms for the cheerleaders

• The MED Foundation of Mercer County, $750 to purchase a laptop computer

• Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, $500 to purchase lighting to illuminate an outdoor walking path

• Mercer County Aktion Club, $500 to purchase items to support various projects

• Marathon XII, $750 to fund the Running for Jersey scholarship in memory of Jersey Poff

• Grand Lake Recreation Club, $400 to purchase lighted channel markers

• Erastus Church in Mercer County, $425 to fund a weeknight children’s program

• St. Josephs Men Sodality of St. Anthony in Mercer County, $500 to purchase items to build the St. Anthony Guardian Angel Playground

• New Bremen Blanketeers, $500 to purchase blanket-making supplies

• New Knoxville Class of 2028, $800 to help fund the Washington D.C. trip

• Christmas Jubilee in Auglaize County, $800 to assist needy families in the Wapakoneta school district to ensure a healthy and joyous holiday season

• Wapakoneta Area Ministerial Association, $250 to fund their voucher program

• Let’s Back the Blue, $500 to support the “Blue Lights for Canned Goods” program

• St. Marys Middle School, $1,000 to purchase books for classroom libraries

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, oversees 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.