Central Electric Cooperative presented the American Legion Abernathy Post 16 of Gann Valley with a $1,000 Operation Round-Up grant during the town's 140th anniversary celebration on June 21, 2025.
The funds were used to help purchase American Legion grave markers for veterans buried at St. Placidus Cemetery.
“The Legion grave markers help us show our respect. They also make it easier for visitors to identify veterans’ graves,” Legion member Ken Wulff explained in the grant application.
Each bronze grave marker is five inches in diameter and comes with a rod for placement in the ground. After shipping, the grave markers cost approximately $50 each.
To support this project or future Legion projects, contact Ken Wulff at 605-293-3277. Donations can be mailed to Abernathy Post 16, PO Box 156, Gann Valley, SD, 57341.
Operation Round-Up is powered by Central Electric members who voluntarily round up their monthly electric bill to the next dollar. The extra cents are deposited into a separate fund and used to support community-focused projects in the area.
Donita Loudner represents Buffalo County on the Central Electric board of directors, and in 2023 she appointed Yvette Isburg to serve on the Operation Round-Up board of trustees. Since the grant program began in 2015, Operation Round-Up has supported 23 projects in Buffalo County.