Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA—The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative and its customers contributed $50,000 this winter to help more than 300 local low-income families heat their homes through NOVEC’s Operation Round Up. The program has contributed approximately $500,000 since ORU’s inception in 1997.
Donna Snellings, NOVEC’s community liaison, said, “Colder weather and the economic downturn caused many area residents to ask for heating assistance this winter. Operation Round Up came to their aid.”
Customers who participate in ORU authorize NOVEC to round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar. The additional cents go into the ORU fund. NOVEC absorbs all administration costs. Therefore, 100 percent of all donations go into the fund. Operation Round Up gives the funds to county aid agencies and social service organizations that help disadvantaged people pay their heating bills.
This winter, the Operation Round Up Customer Advisory Board gave assistance money to six organizations in five counties: the Salvation Army of Loudoun, the Salvation Army of Fairfax, Prince William ACTS, Prince William SERVE, Stafford SERVE, and Fauquier Family Services. The board consists of volunteers who represent NOVEC’s nine service districts.
NOVEC customers may join ORU any time during the year by logging onto www.novec.com/ORU12 or calling the NOVEC customer service center, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 703-335-0500 or toll-free 1-888-335-0500.
All area residents, whether NOVEC customers or not, may donate to the fund. Checks should be payable to NOVEC Operation Round Up and mailed to P.O. Box 2710, Manassas, VA 20108.
People who need assistance with their heating bills can call 211 or contact the Virginia Department of Social Services toll-free at 1-800-552-3431, or log onto www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.html.
