Each month when Santee Electric Cooperative members receive their bills, they have the option of having it rounded up the next whole dollar amount. This doesn't cost the member much, about $7 a year, but should give them a warm feeling knowing they are helping victims of fire and other tragic events start over again.

On Dec. 12, 2010, a fire claimed the home of Hemingway resident Edward Middleton. Middleton, a supporter of SEC's Operation Round-Up program himself, is one of the latest recipients of help from the program.

After his home and possessions were totally destroyed in the fire, the change that SEC members donate every month was put to good use and helped him get back on his feet, so to speak. Middleton is a double amputee with two prosthetic legs. In his condition, comfortable furniture is a precious thing, Lisa Woods, SEC Project Manager, who administers the program, said. When Robbie's Furniture of Kingstree offered to donate a living room suite to the Operation Round-Up program, Woods' presented the idea to the Operation Round-Up board that the furniture be donated to Middleton.

'Starting over again is devastating! Ask anyone who's been through it,' Middleton said.  'I'm so thankful to Round-Up for everything they've done for me. They brought me clothes, food, dishes and other much needed items to help me start over again.'

The SEC Operation Round-Up board, including Georgia Dollard, whose district Middleton lives in, would like to thank SEC members and businesses like Robbie's Furniture for their selfless contributions to others in the community.

Since 1993, Operation Round-Up has been there to assist SEC consumers. Working in the communities that SEC serves with other community service agencies, Operation Round-Up is helping to make life's hard times a little easier, Woods said.

Operation Round-Up has helped families in need to the tune of $122,000 a year since its beginning, putting almost $2.2 million back into the local economy one family at a time when it is most critically needed.