by: Barbara Jenkins, AVECC Multimedia Specialist

Each year, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation (AVECC) members can choose to participate in a community-focused program called Round Up for Change (RUFC). RUFC is a program where a member's utility bill will "round up" to the next highest dollar amount to help fellow AVECC members who need assistance paying their monthly electric bills. 

AVECC's RUFC collected a record number of "round ups" in 2022, allowing AVECC to provide $16,000 to two local organizations—the Arkansas River Valley Area Council (ARVAC) Inc. and Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council (CSCDC).  

The donated funds will be used solely for AVECC members who need assistance with their electric bills.

AVECC Billing Specialist Cindy Bowman shared, "An advantage to working for a Cooperative is that we give back to our communities. A minimal annual donation per electric bill adds up quickly when combined with all the other members that "round up." RUFC is just one of the programs AVECC has using that principle.  

 "Round up" funds are often used between the Winter and Summer Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) programs or for members who may not qualify for LIHEAP assistance but genuinely need help with their electric bill. 

Bowman added, "Since I work closely with both agency representatives, I see firsthand how these funds help other AVECC members when they need it most."   

If you have not already signed up for Round Up, please join the rest of our members in helping our friends and neighbors in the communities we serve!