Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA— If weather forecasters are correct about the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions having a colder winter than normal this year, many low-income people will need help paying for heat. Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative customer-owners can help by participating in NOVEC’s Operation Round Up® fund.
By participating, NOVEC customers authorize NOVEC to round up their monthly electric bills to the next dollar. For example, if a bill is $69.54, NOVEC will round it up to $70 and put the extra 46¢ into the ORU fund. Customers who participate donate an average of $6 a year.
“Many people in our area need assistance,” says Donna Snellings, NOVEC’s public and government relations liaison. “Therefore we’re asking Co-op and community members to participate in ORU to help everyone stay warm this winter.”
Snellings notes that NOVEC absorbs all administration costs. Therefore 100 percent of all donations go into the fund.
How to Participate in Operation Round Up®
NOVEC customers may join ORU online at www.novec.com/oru12 under “Community,” or they may call the customer service center, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 703-335-0500 or toll-free: 1-888-335-0500. Customers who sign up to participate by Dec. 2, 2012, will be entered into a drawing for one of 10 $25 VISA gift cards.
Individuals who are not NOVEC customers, but would like to donate, may send checks payable to NOVEC Operation Round Up to NOVEC, P.O. Box 2710, Manassas, VA 20108.
How ORU Helps People Stay Warm
After receiving donations, the ORU board, composed of Co-op members, sends donations to:
- The Salvation Army, Loudoun County
- The Salvation Army, Fairfax County
- Action in Community Through Service (ACTS), Prince William County
- SERVE, a program of Northern Virginia Family Service, Prince William County
- SERVE, Inc., Stafford County
- Fauquier Family Shelter Services, Fauquier County
