Hendricks Power Cooperative makes donation to new shelter

Saturday, April 25, 2009
Board members from the Friends of the Park accepted a check from Hendricks Power Cooperative's Operation Round-Up earlier this week. The donation will be used to put electricity in the new park shelter at Robe-Ann erected by Area 30 students. Pictured here are Dana Servaes of Hendricks Power Cooperative presenting Joan Davies, President of the FOP a $1,500 check. Also present are FOP board members Jan Firebaugh and Lynn Wilson, Elaine Peck with the Putnam County Foundation, Rod Weinschenk of Greencastle Parks and Recreation, along with the instructors and students from Area 30 Building Trades, Construction Equipment Operation and Landscaping classes.

Hendricks Power Cooperative is using spare change from energy bills to help the local community. They recently donated $1,500 to the Friends of the Park to complete the final phase of the shelter rebuild in Robe-Ann Park.

Their gift will enable FOP to pay for the installation of electricity in the shelter that was recently rebuilt by Area 30 building trade students.

Called Operation Round Up, the power company's voluntary fundraising program lets customers donate spare change from their energy bill (never more than 99 cents per month) to help those in need in the communities they serve. That includes Putnam County.

Patrons who participate in fundraising effort "round up" their energy bill to the next dollar. The difference goes into a special fund administered by the Hendricks Power Advisory Board. The Board then distributes the money back into the community -- to the places that need it most.

Funds are used for things such as firefighting equipment, emergency medical personnel, programs for seniors, youth and students, school supplies and clothing, food banks.

"We like getting money into the smaller communities," said Dana Servaes, Director of Corporate Marketing for the power company.

"We'd like to have a stronger presence in areas like Putnam County and are always looking for ways to help local community projects. We want to use funds to help contribute to the betterment of the entire community like this project," she added.

Hendricks Power Cooperative serves areas in Hendricks, Montgomery, Putnam and Morgan counties.

The new shelter was one of many projects sponsored by the Friends of the Park. They provided the funds to take down the old shelter and to supply whatever was necessary to build the new shelter.

Area 30 students in the building trades, construction equipment operation and landscaping classes built the shelter.

"We couldn't have done it without their help. It's so good for (the students) to understand they are part of community service. They are going to come back one day and tell their kids they helped build this shelter," said FOP board member Jan Firebaugh.

For information about FOP contact the Friends of the Park Association of Putnam County, Inc. P.O. Box 464, Greencastle, IN 46135.

For information about Operation Round Up contact Servaes at 317-718-7641 or look on their Web site at www.hendrickspower.com

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