The Powder River Energy Foundation recently donated a total of $20,000 to 19 charitable organizations in the five-county area of northeast Wyoming through its annual Holiday giving program.

“The Foundation’s mission is to demonstrate our commitment to nonprofit charitable organizations in northeast Wyoming by lending a helping hand to improve the quality of life or services in their community,” said Foundation Executive Director Joe Roth. “People in our communities are experiencing a variety of socioeconomic challenges. The charities that bring relief are also stretched. Our Foundation Board enthusiastically offers its support this Holiday season.”

The grants will go directly toward the Holiday season work of local charities in helping families in need at this time of year. This year’s recipients are:

• Campbell County: 
  The Mercantile at Rawhide Elementary; Campbell County Council of Community Services; Campbell County Senior Center home-delivered meals; and Gillette Salvation Army
• Crook County: 
  Moorcroft Interfaith Community; Hulett Holiday Baskets; and Crook County Council of County Services/Sundance Food Pantry
• Johnson County: 
  Johnson County Friends Feeding Friends; Kaycee Food Pantry; Bread of Life Food Pantry – Buffalo; and Compass Center for Families - Parent Liaison Program
• Sheridan County:
  The Food Group, Inc.; The Hub on Smith Holiday Giving; Sheridan Police Department - Cops for Kids; and Sheridan Foster Parent Exchange
• Weston County: 
  Newcastle Ministerial Association Holiday giving; Helping Hands Foundation of Weston County; B.R.E.A.D. food pantry; and Weston County Peace Officers Shop with a Cop

The donation is possible through fundraisers, members donating their capital credits, matching grants, and PRECorp’s Operation RoundUp® program. Operation RoundUp® gathers voluntary contributions from participating co-op members by “rounding up” their monthly bill to the next dollar, resulting in an average donation of 50 cents a month. These donations are then transferred

to the Powder River Energy Foundation, which is governed by the independent, voluntary Board of Directors who represent five counties in the PRECorp service area.

For more information on the Powder River Energy Foundation or to sign up for the Operation RoundUp® program, check the Operation RoundUp® program box on your monthly billing statement, or go to the Powder River Energy Foundation website at www.precorpfoundation.org.

Since its formation in 2007, the Powder River Energy Foundation has driven more than $2.3 million in benefits to charitable organizations across PRECorp’s service territory.

One hundred percent of Operation RoundUp® program funds go directly to the organizations, and all administrative overhead for the Foundation is donated through its relationship with PRECorp. Additionally, since the Powder River Energy Foundation is a 501(c)(3), donations may be tax deductible, including event sponsorships and capital credit donations. Fundraising events next year include the June 1 Durham Ranch 5K/10K walk-run; WyoGives Day of Giving on July 10, and a September 9 Golf Scramble at the Golf Club at Devils Tower.

The Foundation’s Board of Directors reviews charitable donation applications monthly.