Every quarter, the Community Assistance Corporation (CAC), a board composed of community members, accepts applications and make decisions in regard to awarding funds.

Hargrove Elementary has been one of the most prolific recipients, receiving over $113,000 in funding through 15 grants.

Lauren Strickland, the media coordinator at Hargrove, has been the recipient of those grants. “The grant that stands out to me the most is my first one that funded library books; I believe it was for $10,000,” she said. “At the time, our media center was in desperate need of new books, and I really didn’t know where to turn.”

She has learned of Operation Round Up from the front office, and over the years, has written many grants that continue to impact her students everyday.

Another organization benefiting through the years, is Better Health of Cumberland County.
The non-profit organization works throughout the county to meet the unmet healthcare needs through education, referral and direct assistance.

Better Health Executive Director Christiana Adeyemi is very complementary of the program.

“It enables us to serve dozens of uninsured clients in need of medical assistance,” she said. “Our first grant was for emergency medical assistance to include prescription assistance, dental extraction and vision exams and glasses.”

Better Health has received 11 Operation Round Up grants, totaling $61,000.

“Facing growing needs and more difficulty finding available funding, our team continues to provide dedicated, compassionate service to our neighbors in need, which we could not do without your help.”

“Facing growing needs and more difficulty finding available funding, our team continues to provide dedicated, compassionate service to our neighbors in need, which we could not do without your help,” said Adeyemi. “We save public funds and preserve health when we can keep someone from having to go back to the hospital or urgent care because of medical complications or having a severe dental infection that goes unresolved.”

Member’s funding keeps people in communities healthier, just another positive community
impact.

Another organization having an influence on the community through Operation Round Up is Transitions LifeCare, with $75,000 in funding.

“We care for all patients who need our hospice and palliative care services, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Christine Casey, vice president of philanthropy. “In 2011, we received our first grant of $5,000 for our indigent care fund, which supports patients who either do not have insurance or are underinsured.”

According to Casey, approximately 8% of patients fall into this category, and philanthropic support allows them to serve the population every year.

Since 2017, Operation Round Up has funded the Transitions Kids (TK) pediatric hospice and palliative care program, which serves children with life-limiting illnesses with a goal to enhance their quality of life by reducing pain and suffering.

“Families are exhausted, emotionally, and financially, by the time they turn to Transitions Kids,” said Casey.

“They are never asked to pay for services; all care is free thanks to generous community donors. South River EMC’s ORU funding allows Transitions Kids to continue providing home-based pediatric medical care and family support for these children.”

These are just a few of the organizations South River EMC members have impacted and
will continue to impact through participation in Operation Round Up.

Since 2008, over $3 million has been reinvested in communities through grants. All thanks to members like you.