Making A Difference: Building Future Leaders
Making A Difference: Building Future Leaders
Making A Difference: Building Future Leaders

Each month, East Central Electrical members make a difference in the communities where they live, just by rounding up the change on their electric bill. Since the Operation Roundup program began in 2006, over $2 million has been reinvested into community organizations and used to support families in need.

One of the organizations that benefited from Operation Roundup in 2021 was Junior Achievement of Oklahoma.

Junior Achievement is a nonprofit that inspires and prepares young people for success. In December, eighteen Junior Achievement students were able to job shadow City of Muskogee employees and learn about what in takes to keep a community running.

The students met with the Muskogee Chief of Police to learn about careers in law enforcement.  At the Muskogee Fire Department they learned about a day in the life of a fire fighter. 

Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman explained the city’s form of government, with an elected mayor and city council that makes legislative and quasi-judicial decisions for the city while day-to-day executive functions are overseen by the appointed city manager.

Human Resources Director Kelly Cox shared her seven basics steps to getting hired.

Director of Workplace Safety Avery Rigney shared career opportunities in public works, such as city planning, water treatment, recycling, or stormwater management.  

To learn about careers building parks and planning community events, students spoke with Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Brooke Hall.

Junior Achievement developed this job shadowing program to increase students’ awareness of the variety of career opportunities where they could make the mark and have a positive impact on their communities.

“There is no program within the schools that teaches our students what Junior Achievement does. This program offers so much and in a way that these students can relate,” said Operation Roundup Board Member Candye Sexton.

Operation Roundup has been used to help individual members and families with unexpected medical bills, storm damage repairs after a disaster, homes with a need for handicap accessible improvements, and expenses for necessities like food, clothing, and shelter after a fire.

East Central members have also contributed funds to support local communities by: ensuring emergency response teams have life-saving equipment, helping homeless shelters afford resources to get people off the streets, and supporting programs that help struggling kids access the care they need to live fulfilling and productive lives.

“The Roundup program is an amazing program,” Sexton said. “Members can choose to have their co-op bills rounded up to the next dollar. Persons or agencies that are in need of assistance for a specific reason may submit an application. The committee reads all of these.  After much discussion a decision is agreed upon and the person or agency is notified. These extra pennies are put to such wonderful use. I am very proud to be a part of this program!”

East Central members and organizations within the East Central service area can learn more about the foundation and how to apply at www.ecoec.com. The Operation Roundup foundation board meets quarterly to review applications and disburse funds.