Fredericksburg, Va. — Through The Power of Change, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) member-owners give voluntarily to support nonprofits that support those in need.

Most participants round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar, but gifts can also be a set monthly amount or a one-time donation. Twice a year, donations from The Power of Change are made available to 501(c) 3 nonprofit charities in our communities.

This fall, $101,340.23 was awarded to 24 nonprofits in our communities.

The Power of Change Fall 2023 Award Recipients include:

Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Fredericksburg received $1,190 to support their Bigs in Schools mentoring program.

Come As You Are Ministry, Montpelier, received $5,000 to support outreach programs that provide food assistance to low-income individuals and families.

Essex County Museum & Historical Society received $2,500 for their Hands on History interactive educational project and activities.

Giving Words, Louisa County, received $10,200 to support their Transportation and Community projects that assist single mothers with transportation and vehicle maintenance training and repairs.

Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity received $3,000 to help build 14 affordable homes within the Benchmark Road Subdivision project.

Lake Anna Rescue Inc. received $5,000 to assist in the acquisition of an EMS Rescue Boat.

Louisa Community Emergency Fund Inc. received $2,000 in support of the Touching Lives in Crisis program that offers financial assistance to families that have critical housing needs.

Mental Health America of Fredericksburg received $5,000 to provide therapy and group services for underserved populations.

New Day Equine Therapy, Richmond, received $2,500 to provide therapeutic services to financially challenged individuals and families of Hanover, Caroline Spotsylvania and the surrounding counties.

St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church – Caroline County Cemetery Group received $2,000 to assist with The Oliver Cemetery Project to preserve and restore a historic cemetery in Caroline County.

Upper King and Queen Volunteer Fire Department received $10,000 to assist with the purchase of a new 2023 Pierce Tanker.

Applications for the Spring 2024 The Power of Change funding open Dec. 8, and the deadline to apply is Feb. 10, 2024. Visit thepowerofchange.org for more information. 

Looking for a way to give back to your community? There are three easy ways to give through The Power of Change: you can give a one-time donation, enroll to give a set monthly amount or have your monthly electric bill rounded up to the next whole dollar.

REC provides electric service to over 176,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 18,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.