The Mille Lacs Community Trust Board meets quarterly to distribute funds raised through Operation Round Up. This June, the board awarded $23,800 in grants to local non-profit organizations including: Lakes Area Restorative Justice Project, Quarterbacks Club (Aitkin Public Schools - Aitkin Robotics), Aitkin Area Team for Alzheimer's, Aitkin County CARE, Inc., Knights of Columbus - Aitkin County Council #18545, Lakes Area Interfaith Caregivers, dba Interfaith Volunteers, Lakes Area Music Festival, Long Lake Conservation Foundation, McGregor Young Life, Monday Lunch Bunch - St. Vincent de Paul, Ripple River Quilt Guild, Riverwood Foundation, South Aitkin First Responders, and The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes.
The total amount of grants awarded since the start of Operation Round Up has surpassed $1.6 million! Operation Round Up is a voluntary program at Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative where our generous members round- up their electric bill payment to the nearest dollar. All the funds raised go into the trust fund which is donated back to the community. Board members include: Lisa Anderson, Kim Waffensmith, Mavonne Prokop, Bethany Sellers, Charles Schotzko, Marna Wahl, Bob Nelson, and Doyle Jelsing.
To receive a Trust application, contact Deb Chute at 218-927-8221 or 1-800-450-2191. The Trust Board meets the second Wednesday in March, June, September, and December. Applications are accepted at any time. Those submitted a week before the quarterly meetings will go to the board. Anything submitted after will be seen at the next board meeting.
