Electric Co-op donates to local organizations

RITZVILLE — Big Bend Electric Co-op’s non-profit, Caring Neighbors, has announced the 12 recipients of more than $9,000 in grants, the organization said in a press release Wednesday.

The grants are:

• $700 to the Columbia Basin Junior Livestock Show to help fund updates to sheep barn and show ring

• $1,000 to the Connell Food Bank

• $1,800 to the Connell Heritage Museum to help fund the purchase of a cemetery map

• $750 to the Connell Junior Eagles for youth football helmets

• $750 to Cub Scouts Pack No. 73, Ritzville, to fund scouting activities

• $1,000 to Franklin County Fire District No. 5 to help refurbish a wildland fire vehicle

• $1,000 to Miss Connell Scholarship Program

• $1,000 to the Othello Barracudas Swim Team

• $360 to the Othello School District to help purchase supplies for STEM classes

• $200 to the Ritzville Aerie/Auxiliary Eagles to assist with the community Easter egg hunt

• $500 to Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ritzville, to help purchase color guard uniforms and equipment

• $840 to the Wheatland Communities Fair to help purchase a new door for the Lego Barn.

The five-member Caring Neighbors volunteer board reviews applications and determines award amounts quarterly, according to the release. The funds have been donated by members of Big Bend Electric Co-op who allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar, with the change allocated to Caring Neighbors.