Tuesday | May 12, 2026
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Members of Paulding Putnam recently donated $12,650 to seven local charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Operation Round Up program.

Thanks to the 80% of members who round up their electric bill and donate to this fund, Paulding Putnam has provided more than $801,323 to northwest Ohio and northeast Indiana communities since 2010. Ottawa Volunteer Fire Department

Participating members round up their monthly electric bill to the next dollar, with the extra pennies being used to help fund charities and groups in their communities. Each quarter, the funds are dispensed to local causes that applied for funding.

The most recent donation recipients include:

  • Columbus Grove Charter Academy; $1,000 to purchase 2 smart TVs for classrooms
  • Go Ottawa; $1,000 to help with costs for a mural at the Farmers Market
  • Kitty Hope Foundation; $1,000 to help cover the cost of spay and neuter surgeries for 60 local cats
  • Miller City Athletic Boosters; $900 to put fencing in front of the dugouts
  • Ottawa Volunteer Fire Department; $1,500 to purchase drone equipment
  • Paulding County American Cancer Society; $1,000 to support the Cancer survivors dinner
  • Paulding County Festival Committee; $2,000 for fall festival expenses
  • Paulding County Health Department; $750 for a community garden to support the WIC program
  • Paulding Youth Ball Association; $700 to upgrade field lights to LED
  • Putnam County Special Olympics; $1,000 to purchase uniforms
  • Van Wert County 4-H Council; $500 to purchase a commercial grade ice shaver for the 4-H Shaved Ice Trailer
  • Wayne Trace Local Schools; $2,000 to purchase food and household supplies for the Blessings in a Bag program

Photos of each recipient can be found on Paulding Putnam’s Facebook page.

Operation Round Up was started in 2010 as a way to give back to Paulding Putnam’s communities. Groups in both Ohio and Indiana can apply.

Organizations can apply for Operation Round Up assistance by contacting Paulding Putnam’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Samantha Kuhn, at skuhn@ppec.coop or visiting www.ppec.coop/operation-round. If you want to participate by rounding up your monthly bill, call Paulding Putnam’s office at 800-686-2357. The average member’s donation is about $6 per year.