Midwest Electric donates to local groups

Midwest Electric information

ST. MARYS – Midwest Electric members recently donated $13,649 to 14 west central Ohio charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Community Connection Fund.

Gary Profit (left), Midwest Electric Community Connection Fund trustee, presents a $500 check to Paul Hoverman, executive director of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. (photos submitted)

Since the program began in 1998, Midwest Electric’s Community Connection Fund has provided $687,042 to 499 area projects.

Local charities included in this year’s donations are the 4-H Exchange Club, which received $1,000 to fund repairs to its carousel light show display; Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio, which received $500 to help with its lecture series; the Van Wert County Fair, which was given $500 to support entertainment in the Gospel Tent; and the Van Wert Area Boychoir, which received $400 to buy concert apparel, music and other support.

The Midwest 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, made up of 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 419.394.4110 or 800.962.3830.

Other area fund recipients include the following:

Chickasaw Community Mutual Fire Company, $2,000 to buy portable folding water tanks to increase firefighting capacity.
New Knoxville/Washington Township Fire Department, $2,000 to replace outdated air pack bottles.
Coleman Professional Services of Lima, $1,750 to buy a vital signs monitor for psychiatric patients.
Lima Symphony Orchestra Association, $1,000 to support music education programs for young people.
Auglaize County Public Library, $1,000 to buy iPads.
Grand Lake Hospice, $1,000 to outfit media center in the new “comfort suite” for patients’ families.
Meyer House Foundation, $1,000 towards the construction of a new home for an impoverished family in Spencerville.
New Bremen Friends of the Library, $500 towards summer children’s programming.
ARC of Allen County, $500 for new doors and wheelchair ramps.
Fort Recovery Elementary School-Multiple Disabilities class, $499 to buy an iPad for educational use.

Gary Profit (left), Midwest Electric Community Connection Fund trustee, donates $500 to Linda Mechling (center) and Jean Auld, trustees of the Van Wert Area Boychoir, to fund concert apparel, music and other support.

POSTED: 02/03/12 at 6:26 am. FILED UNDER: News