Sumter EMC Foundation Awards Grants to Local Organizations

Liberty House of Albany

(Albany, GA) – Liberty House of Albany recently received a grant from the Sumter EMC Foundation to provide basic household items for families who have experienced domestic violence and are back on their feet and establishing a new home.

“Through this grant from our Foundation, Sumter EMC is honored to help provide essentials to domestic violence survivors and their families so they can start a new life chapter,” said Andrea Walker, Chairman of the Sumter EMC Foundation.

Latavia’s Closet

(Cusseta, GA) – The Sumter EMC Foundation recently awarded a grant to Latavia’s Closet in Cusseta to help fund their winter wonderland Christmas event, which gives toys to low-income families. Latavia’s Closet, year after year, has been instrumental in helping families in need in Chattahoochee County have the means to afford and celebrate Christmas.

In addition, Latavia’s closet has provided great support to the local school district by providing school supplies, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, etc. to those in need.

“Sumter EMC, through our Foundation, is proud to be a part of supporting local organizations who work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the citizens in their communities,” said Andrea Walker, Chairman of the Sumter EMC Foundation.

Marion County: Doyle Volunteer Fire Department and Buena Vista Fire & Rescue

(Buena Vista, GA) – Doyle Volunteer Fire Department and Buena Vista Fire & Rescue were both recently awarded a grant from the Sumter EMC Foundation. Funds from these grants will help replace outdated fire equipment, which will give the community peace of mind when emergencies arise, and will also keep insurance premiums lower.

“Through these grants from our Foundation, Sumter EMC is honored to help provide the fire & rescue stations with needed improvements, so they can effectively respond when necessary,” said Andrea Walker, Chairman of the Sumter EMC Foundation.

Phoebe Sumter Foundation

(Americus, GA) – The Sumter EMC Foundation recently awarded grant funds to the Phoebe Sumter Foundation to help build a greenspace and play area for Phoebe’s childcare facility project. The primary goal of the project is to support working families by helping provide dependable childcare in a setting that nurtures growth and well-being. By investing in outdoor play and recreation, the program will offer children opportunities to build motor skills, develop social confidence, explore the outdoors, and engage in both structured and unstructured play.

“Through this grant from our Foundation, Sumter EMC is honored to help Phoebe Sumter Foundation by investing in our children—tomorrow’s leaders,” said Andrea Walker, Chairman of the Sumter EMC Foundation.

Lee County Family Connection, Inc.

(Leesburg, GA) –The Sumter EMC Foundation awarded grant funds to Lee County Family Connection, Inc., who is supporting the work of Literate Lee, the community collaborative literacy strategy team. The money will be used to purchase books for children ages birth to eight, enhancing and encouraging early literacy.

“Sumter EMC is proud to be a part of promoting childhood literacy through this grant from our Foundation. By keeping to our principle of Concern for Community, we are pleased to support children’s learning opportunities,” said Andrea Walker, Chairman of Sumter EMC Foundation.

The Sumter EMC Foundation is dedicated to positively impacting the communities in rural southwest Georgia. By providing grants and support to local organizations, the Foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for residents and contribute to the community's overall well-being. The Sumter EMC Foundation was founded in 2003 and is funded by Cooperative members participating in Sumter EMC's Operation Round Up®. Every month, Sumter EMC rounds up the electric bill of participating members to the following whole dollar amount and deposits the difference into an interest-bearing account. The Sumter EMC Foundation's board of trustees administers the funds through grants awarded to local schools and civic and charitable organizations as allowed by the Bylaws. These grants give one hundred percent of the money collected to the community. The Foundation has awarded over $1,573,000 to community organizations in Sumter EMC's service territory.

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About Sumter Electric Membership Corporation

Sumter Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is a community-focused electric cooperative created to efficiently deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to more than 21,000 homes, businesses, farms, and schools. Sumter EMC is led by and belongs to the communities we serve – Chattahoochee, Dougherty, Lee, Marion, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell, and Webster counties. We invest in the community through programs such as Operation Round-Up, Washington Youth Tour, Walter Harrison Scholarship, and the Georgia Cooperative Council’s Leadership Conferences.

For additional information about Sumter Electric Membership Corporation, visit ‘www.sumteremc.coop’.