Hancock-Wood automatically adjusts members’ bills to the nearest dollar and then combines each amount for grants to local organizations and individuals in need.

For example, a monthly bill of $52.73 is rounded up to $53.00. The additional 27 cents will be contributed to Hancock-Wood's Operation Round Up fund, managed by the HWE Community Trust Fund Board of Trustees. On average, a member would contribute $6 annually to the fund. These pennies, nickels, and dimes have helped raise more than $1,099,382 to benefit area charities since Operation Round Up’s inception in 2008.

The following organizations received funding through our Operation Round Up program in August:

• Elmwood Local Schools — $2,750

• Kelleys Island Local School District — $3,130

• Allen Township Fire Department — $2,891

• Hancock County Educational Service Center — $5,000

• Vanlue Fire Department — $3,000

• McComb Elementary School — $1,750