What do a rodeo, a barn dance, and a covert mission have in common? They’re all things you might mistakenly associate with Mountain View Electric Association’s Operation Round Up®. But this innovative program is actually much more meaningful: a powerful community initiative that transforms spare change into life-changing support for local charities, educational organizations, and neighbors in need.
The concept behind Operation Round Up is simple yet impactful. MVEA members voluntarily round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. While the average contribution is just 50 cents a month or $6 a year, and never exceeds $11.88 annually, the collective power of participating MVEA accounts creates a significant fund that makes a real difference in the community. To protect the privacy of those in need, the names of MVEA members who receive assistance through Operation Round Up are not disclosed. However, the impact of these funds is evident. They have helped prevent evictions, cover car repair costs, and pay overdue medical bills.
In addition to individual assistance, Operation Round Up extends its support to charitable organizations including Fresh Start Center, which uses these funds for pantry food purchases and mission-based expenses aimed at alleviating hunger and poverty. Grant Winger, Executive Director at Fresh Start Center, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Through the support provided by MVEA’s Operation Round Up fund, Fresh Start Center has been able to continue to be a beacon of hope for many families facing hunger and poverty in the Eastern Plains of Colorado. Without this support, our mission would be much harder to accomplish.”
Segan Falconer, Outreach and Development Manager with Envida, a nonprofit that supports independent living for members of our community who are unable to drive themselves, said, “We want MVEA members to know that their contributions to Operation Round Up have been vital to Envida. With their grant support, we were able to establish fixed routes in Eastern El Paso County for those in need.”
The reach of Operation Round Up is extensive. In 2023 alone, the program distributed over $205,000 in grant funds, contributing to a total of more than $3.3 million given back to the community since the program's inception in 1999.
For those interested in making a difference, joining Operation Round Up is easy. By rounding up your bill, you can help provide crucial support to your neighbors in need. To learn more, click here.