Big Bend co-op's Caring Neighbors donates $10K to local organizations

RITZVILLE — According to an April 3 announcement, nonprofit organization Caring Neighbors, a five-member volunteer board established by Big Bend Electric Co-op, recently donated more than $10,000 to eight local non-profit organizations. 

The recipient organizations included the following:

• Othello Sandhill Crane Festival — $800 to help fund children’s educational activities during the festival

• Othello Community Museum — $1,500 to assist with foyer remodel

• Othello School District — $1,200 to help fund a student field trip to Ritzville’s Lasting Legacy Wildlife Museum

• Ritzville Eagles Aerie 2739 — $400 to help purchase supplies for a community Easter egg hunt

• Spay Neuter Your Pet — $1,500 to Ritzville organization Spay Neuter Your Pet to provide assistance to the public for spaying and neutering costs

• Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired — $2,000 to help fund low-income services programs for the blind and visually impaired

• Chiawana High School — $390 to help fund student field trips to Hanford Reach National Monument

• Mesa Elementary School — $2,500 to assist with costs for a rock climbing wall

According to the statement, the funds for Caring Neighbors have been donated by the 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.

Local non-profit groups and municipalities can apply for Caring Neighbors funds by calling the co-op office at 509-659-1700 or by downloading an application form from the co-op website at www.bbec.org.