Lewis County REC CARES Foundation

The Lewis County REC CARES Foundation is a program that allows Lewis County REC members who choose to have their bill rounded up to the nearest whole dollar each month fund the Lewis County REC CARES Foundation. The Foundation was formed in 2019 and is a totally separate entity from the Lewis County REC. The Foundation is in no way governed by the Lewis County REC Board of Directors and is a stand alone 501C3 formed to make donations back the other 501C3 organizations or schools in the Lewis County REC coverage territory. Money collected through rounding electric bills up to the nearest whole dollar is then transferred to the Foundation.

The Lewis County REC CARES Foundation is governed by it’s own set of directors and By-Laws. Board members serve on an uncompensated, volunteer basis and meet quarterly to review applications. The current board members include Judy Smith, Linda Rutledge, Janice McGinnis, Jeanie James, Renee Kirchner, and Ryan St.Clair. Each quarter the board meets, reviews applications, approves or denies requests, and then delivers the donations to recipients.

Board member Judy Smith said, “I appreciate each and every one of you that allow Lewis County REC to round up your electric bill up to the nearest whole dollar each month. By doing so you have made it possible for the Lewis County REC CARES Foundation to donate over $68,500 back to organizations in Northeast Missouri, since 2019 . That is amazing! We appreciate everyone so much for giving back to the communities that Lewis County REC serves.”

Mrs. Smith continued, “If you are not signed up to have your bill rounded up to the nearest whole dollar each month, I would ask that you consider doing so. If you choose to have your bill rounded up each month to the nearest whole dollar it has a tremendous impact on organizations in our area. If you think about it, the most it could ever cost you in one year is $11.88 if your bill was rounded up the maximum each month.” Smith said.

A few examples of projects the foundation has been able to donate funds to include new playground equipment, meals for seniors, technology in schools, upkeep and maintenance of parks and museums, projects at cemeteries and fairgrounds, 4-H maintenance projects, and many others.

Anyone interested in helping fund these types of projects in the area, can call Lewis County REC today and sign up to have their bill rounded up to the nearest whole dollar. Smith said, “The monthly donation has a HUGE impact on organizations in our area.”

Any organization this is part of a 501C3 that would like to apply for funds, can contact Travis Mathes at the Lewis County REC office, and request an application.