In the November issue of the Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, a contest was announced for Community “Change” contributors.  We asked contributors to tell us, in 50 words or less, why they have chosen to donate money to this program each month.

When the Community “Change” board met in December they saw each entry anonymously, meaning they did not know who any of the entrants were until after the winner was selected. The entry they chose was from Betty Morris who lives near Oconto Falls.  Here is Betty’s entry:

“As someone on a fixed income, I find being a part of Community “Change” so easy. Alone, my small monthly contributions would not add up to much. However, in combination with others who also give, we are able to make a significant difference to those in need.”

Betty received a $100 credit on her electric bill as her prize.  She is pictured receiving her $100 credit certificate from Jan Stranz, OEC’s Vice President of Member Services. 

Community “Change” is a program in which OEC members can choose to round their monthly electric bill up to the next whole dollar and the extra change is donated to the Community “Change” fund.  Money from this fund can be applied for by charitable organizations, civic groups or people who experienced some kind of catastrophe in their lives. Quarterly, the Community “Change” board of directors (separate from OEC), meets to grant monetary awards to applicants.

One hundred per cent of the money donated to Community “Change” is used for grants – there are no administrative fees.

Members can choose to give more than the rounded up amount each month.  You can elect to give an additional whole dollar amount of your choosing and Community “Change” can accept one-time donations as well.