The program, founded in October of 2001, has donated more than $3.4 million to various community-service organizations across VEC’s 17-county service area.
Local groups recently garnering grants include the Bradley County Historical Society which received a $1,000 grant; Walker Valley High School’s Mu Alpha Theta Math Club received a $1,000 grant; Bradley Initiative Credit Union was awarded an $800 grant; The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary garnered an $800 grant; the Cleveland-Bradley Retired Teacher Association was awarded a $500 grant; the Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber Foundation received a $500 grant; the Cleveland/Bradley County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program received a $400 grant; Blue Heat Fastpitch Softball was awarded a $400 grant; the Museum Center at 5ive Points was awarded a $400 grant; Behavioral Research Institute, Inc., was awarded a $400 grant; and the Bradley County Committee on Aging garnered a $200 grant.
VECustomers Share is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization covering VEC’s 17-county service area. The foundation’s funds come from VEC members who have opted to allow VEC to round their electric bills up to the next whole dollar. VECustomers Share contributions average 50 cents per month per customer. The extra change is pooled with that of other members and distributed by the foundation’s board of directors, who all serve as volunteers.
Grant applications are available at any Volunteer Energy Cooperative Customer Service center, by calling (423) 334-7051, or at www.vec.org.
