Central Electric Cooperative presented Operation Round-Up grants to Hope Cemetery, Rural Office of Community Services (ROCS), VFW Post 5548 Teener Baseball and the Wessington Springs Senior Center during the cooperative's Jerauld County district meeting at the Springs Inn Café on June 16.
HOPE CEMETERY
Hope Cemetery, located west of town on 374th Avenue, is where many residents go to remember loved ones who have passed on. Cemetery Treasurer Norma Powell attended the district meeting with several volunteers to accept a $1,500 grant that was used for fence improvements.
In the grant application, Powell wrote, 'As we all know, cemeteries are not blessed with a lot of funds. The fence has been repaired so many times over the years that it’s reached the point where it has to be replaced.”
Powell said that nearly everyone involved with Hope Cemetery relies on Central Electric for their power. To help support Hope Cemetery’s ongoing expenses, donations can be mailed to Hope Cemetery, c/o Norma Powell, PO Box 87, Wessington Springs, SD 57382.
RURAL OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES (ROCS)
ROCS operates a senior meals program that provides nutritious, hot meals to low-income individuals and seniors, those with disabilities and their caregivers across 12 rural counties in South Dakota, including Jerauld County. Director of Dining Services Megan Hogle attended the district meeting to accept a $2,100 grant on behalf of ROCS.
In the grant application, ROCS Director of Strategic Planning and Marketing Linsy Tice wrote, “Funding from this grant will help ensure continued access to these critical services, improving the health and well-being of rural residents and supporting the sustainability of rural communities.”
Within Central Electric's footprint, the program serves the communities of Chamberlain, Kimball, Plankinton, Stickney, Wessington Springs and White Lake. The grant was used for operational support to assist with food acquisition, preparation and distribution at those six sites. Approximately 3,300 individuals in Central Electric’s area benefit from the ROCS senior meals program.
VFW POST 5548 TEENER BASEBALL
Baseball is a community staple in Wessington Springs, and that’s why VFW Post 5548 Vice Commander Kelly Larson applied for funds to support the teener baseball team. Larson attended the district meeting to accept a $600 grant that was used to help purchase new jerseys.
In the grant application, Larson wrote, “We will use 100% of the money for youth baseball for the 2026 season. The program benefits the entire town of Wessington Springs, including businesses in town.”
The VFW raises money for the baseball program with the annual hotdog and hamburger feed and through private donations. To help support the VFW’s ongoing expenses, donations can be mailed to VFW Post 5548, PO Box 13, Wessington Springs, SD 57382.
SENIOR CENTER
Built in 2011, the Wessington Springs Senior Center is used for senior meals, local events and private gatherings. Board Member Susan Olson attended the district meeting to accept a $600 grant that will be used for facility improvements.
In the grant application, Olson wrote, “Repainting the interior would provide a fresh, clean and inviting atmosphere for all those that use the facility. We plan to proceed with this project in the next couple months to have it cleaned up for upcoming events.”
Additional funds are needed to complete the facility improvements. To help support the project, donations can be mailed to Wessington Springs Senior Center, PO Box 47, Wessington Springs, SD 57382.
ABOUT OPERATION ROUND-UP Operation Round-Up is powered by Central Electric members who voluntarily round up their monthly electric bill to the next dollar to support community projects.
Amber Kolousek of Wessington Springs has served on the Operation Round-Up volunteer board of trustees since 2022. She was appointed to the position by Central Electric Director Mark Reindl. Since the program began in 2015, Operation Round-Up has invested $21,900 to support 17 projects in Jerauld County.
To learn more about Operation Round-Up, visit www.centralec.coop and click on Member Programs. The next deadline to apply for a grant is October 30.