ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative set a single grant cycle record by awarding a combined $39,000 to 17 area organizations in Operation Round Up giving this month.

The co-op’s charitable program builds a fund through a corporate contribution and its members voluntarily rounding up bills. A committee of co-op members reviews applications three times a year. The typical grant is between $500 and $2,500.

Two March recipients, First Presbyterian Church in Winchester and Friends of the Shenandoah River in Page County, were presented matching grants totaling $7,500 from SVEC and the CoBank Sharing Success program. CoBank is a national lender for electric cooperatives and its Sharing Success program matches charitable contributions at the local level.

SVEC’s Operation Round Up began in 2018 and has steadily increased annual giving, topping out at about $90,000 in 2025. Applications are now available for the second cycle of 2026 at svec.coop/ORU.

The March 2026 recipients are:

Augusta County

Blue Ridge CASA ($2,500): To strengthen its advocacy program in Page and Shenandoah counties by helping recruit and train new volunteers, supporting current advocates, and serving more local children who have faced abuse or neglect.

LEARN English and Reading Now ($1,250): For new books for students. Books are provided free to students and tutors, and cost $90 for each pair to have a curriculum.

Renewing Homes of Greater Augusta ($2,500): To purchase building materials to provide to volunteer crews performing critical home repairs for income-eligible homeowners.

City of Winchester/Frederick County

First Presbyterian Church ($7,500 – SVEC + CoBank): For its Helper Fund, which provides emergency assistance to individuals in need in Winchester and Clarke and Frederick counties.

Highland Food Pantry ($2,500): To purchase diapers and wipes for clients.

Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum ($2,500): To support its summer camp partnership with Special Love Inc., which supports children with cancer and their families.

Valleyhaven Furniture Bank ($2,500): To purchase beds for clients.

Highland County

Highland Center ($1,000): For exit door signs for fire code compliance.

Highland Children’s House ($1,250): To fund its summer garden program.

Page County

Friends of the Shenandoah River ($7,500 – SVEC + CoBank): To support the Summer Weekly E. coli Testing Program along Hawksbill Creek.

Living Legacy ($2,500): To provide safe transportation four days a week for Page County youth attending The Rec’s after school programs.

Page One ($2,500): For emergency financial assistance for clients, including rent, utilities and food pantry purchases.

Rockingham County

The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham Inc. ($2,500): To support direct program costs (materials, transportation, supplies) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Blue Ridge Foster VA ($1,000): To provide free essential items through its shop, such as diapers, wipes and car seats, for local foster and kinship care families.

Bridge of Hope ($2,000): To provide rental assistance to single-parent families facing homelessness throughout their time in the program, meeting their greatest and most urgent need.

Way to Go Inc. ($2,500): To directly remove transportation barriers for low-income working individuals and families in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County by supporting critical expenses such as vehicle repairs, tires and insurance assistance.

Shenandoah County

Just Because Inc ($2,500): To provide classroom supplies for teachers in Shenandoah County Public Schools.