10 January 2017 7
What is Operation Round Up ?
Contributed By KICA Member Wendy Kulick
We all know how generous Kiawah property owners are . We support so many charitable entities , it would be difficult to name them all . One charitable contribution many of us make is to Operation Round Up every time we pay our Berkeley Electric Cooperative ( BEC ) bill . If you ’ re not sure ( 1 ) what Operation Round Up is or ( 2 ) if you are participating in this program , you ’ re not alone !
Fortunately , there ’ s an easy way to tell if you ’ re participating . Look at your last three BEC bills . Was the amount you paid each month an even dollar amount , like $ 175 , or were there varying amounts of cents each month , i . e ., $ 175.34 , $ 158.61 or $ 187.07 ? If it ’ s an even dollar amount , you are participating in Operation Round Up . This means each month , BEC “ rounds up ” your bill to the nearest dollar . The difference between your actual bill and the next dollar goes into a separate fund , administered by the Berkeley Electric Trust , a 501 ( c ) 3 which provides grants to BEC members who cannot afford a critical need . It could be repairing a roof , installing a wheel chair ramp , or repairing / installing an HVAC system .
I have served on the Berkeley Electric Trust Board of Directors for the past year-and-a-half . It has been a privilege to work with our less fortunate neighbors on Johns and Wadmalaw islands , as well as in Ravenel and Hollywood . One of the most positive aspects of the trust program is the accountability required of those BEC members who are approved for a grant . The maximum amount the trust will award is $ 3,000 a year ; if a BEC member receives an award , he / she must wait three years before applying again . Once a project is approved , the BEC member must provide a certified check , made payable to the contractor who performed the work , for the amount between the $ 3,000 the trust will provide and the total cost of the work . Once the necessary work has been completed , the contractor will receive checks from both the trust and the BEC member .
If you have any questions about the program and your participation in it , please contact me via e-mail ( wkulick @ bellsouth . net ) or phone ( 843-768-7466 ). I ’ m happy to share additional information with you about this valuable program .
Book of Love Showcases Music for a Good Cause
Join Kiawah Cares , Communities In Schools and the Companion Foundation for a special Valentines evening of music , children and community . The inaugural Book of Love – Chapter 1 : Music for the Mind will be hosted on Monday , Feb . 13 from 6 to 8 p . m . at the Sandcastle .
The event will feature live musical performances by Haut Gap students who participate in Music for Life - a privately funded music program , led by Lee Jones and Jonathan Woodard . Music for Life partners with CIS to give student the gift of music .
These students will be joined by other Haut Gap students , Charleston area youth symphony students , and local area musicians for an inspirational and impactful evening of music and celebration .
Guest emcee for the evening will be popular local personality
Tom Crawford . Guests will enjoy savory bites and refreshing beverages as they enjoy this unique performance . The goal of the fundraiser is to support and expand music and art opportunities at Haut Gap Middle School , and aide in Kiawah Cares ’ desired expansion of cultural programs such at other schools such as St . Johns High School .
Tickets are $ 100 per person , are limited to 100 guests and may be purchased online at the CIS website , cischarleston . org ( located under the Events tab ). Tickets include concert , hor d ’ oeuvres and adult beverages . Cocktail attire , please
This is sure to be an inspirational evening of music and celebration supporting the future of our Johns Island youth !