AMERICUS  — The Sumter Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) Foundation Inc. awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000 to the Georgia Southwestern Foundation Inc. Proceeds from the grant will be used to enhance equipment for the Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) Fitness Center.
“One of the seven guiding principles that govern the way Sumter EMC operates is involvement in the communities we serve,” said Greg Crowder, chairman of the Sumter EMC Foundation. “This project is a great example of how good things happen when people in a community work together for a common goal. Through this grant from our Foundation, Sumter EMC is proud to be part of the effort to upgrade equipment in the Georgia Southwestern Fitness Center which will allow for better workouts for the students, faculty and community members.”
“Community partnership, financial or otherwise, is a critical element of success for Georgia Southwestern,” said GSW Interim President Charles Patterson. “We are extremely grateful to the Sumter EMC Foundation for their support with this grant, and we look forward to seeing it benefit our region.”
The Sumter EMC Foundation was founded in 2003, and is funded exclusively by cooperative members participating in Sumter EMC’s Operation Round Up®. Every month Sumter EMC “rounds up” the electric bill of participating members to the next whole dollar amount and deposits the difference into an interest bearing account. The proceeds of the account are administered by the Sumter EMC Foundation’s board of trustees through grants to local schools, civic and charitable organizations. One hundred percent of the money collected is given back to the community through these grants. To date, the Foundation has awarded $808,817 to community organizations in Sumter EMC’s service territory.
GSW Foundation Executive Director Reda Rowell wrote the grant with GSW Fitness and Wellness Director Anna Champion and student Matthew Hulen.
“Sumter EMC is a true partner with Georgia Southwestern,” Rowell said. “This year, we are very appreciative of their willingness to upgrade our fitness and wellness center with equipment that will better serve our students and anyone who takes advantage of the fitness and wellness programs offered by GSW.”