Youth theater, greenway, firemen benefit from SVEC program

SVEC donates $30,000 to organizations across service area

~ Press release provided by Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative

ROCKINGHAM, Nov. 10 — Through its charitable-giving program, Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) has awarded $30,000 to area organizations in the last grant dispersal for the year. In this round of donations provided by SVEC members, three non-profits in Page County received $7,500 of the total, including:

Blue Ridge Youth Theater ($2,500): Toward its Christmas production, to include expenses related to royalties, costumes and advertising.
Hawksbill Greenway Foundation ($2,500): To support the greenway’s extension and historic park final design for construction blueprints and permit costs.
Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Co. ($2,500): To update the department’s four gas meters. New gas meters will ensure firefighter safety and detect lethal and explosive level of gases.

The program, Operation Round Up, builds a charitable fund through co-op members who voluntarily round up their bills. An annual corporate contribution also supports the cause. A committee composed of co-op members reviews applications three times a year.

With the latest round of giving in November, Operation Round Up totaled about $90,000 in charitable contributions in 2025. Applications are now available for the first cycle of 2026 at svec.coop/ORU.

Other recent recipients are:

Augusta/Highland County

Elegius Mini Equine Sanctuary ($1,500): To create an owner support fund that would assist owners with short-term care needs of their equines who are on the group’s waitlist and otherwise might be sent off to auction and slaughter.
Valley Career and Technical Center ($2,000): To purchase a wool shredder and a wool pellet machine, which will demonstrate to students how to add value to wool products and help farmers improve their environmental stewardship.

Rockingham County

Open Doors ($2,500): To help sustain daily operations, staffing and essential services that support guests on their path toward stability at its year-round, low-barrier emergency shelter.

Shenandoah County

Shenandoah County SEARCH ($2,500): To pave the backyard walking path, two uneven ground areas, and the gravel van parking area, which will improve safety, accessibility and mobility for residents.
Shen-Paco Industries ($2,500): To provide a variety of art supplies and other creative materials for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as fund field trips and participation in other community events.

Winchester/Frederick County

Access Independence ($2,000): To purchase durable medical equipment and assistive devices and build ramps for its consumers.
Adult Care Center of Northern Shenandoah Valley ($2,500): To cover an emergency need for relocation funds for its space to offer a day program for adults who are coping with physical or cognitive challenges caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
FREE Foundation for Rehabilition Equipment & Endowment ($2,000): To meet the high demand for bathroom safety items, particularly tub benches, that far exceeds available supply. The bathroom remains the leading location for falls, yet essential safety bathroom equipment is not covered by insurance.
Highland Food Pantry ($2,500): For its Eggcellent Protein program, which purchases eggs to provide clients with a high-protein source.
Shenandoah Scholars Latino Initiative ($2,500): To support its scholars in Winchester in 2026 through various continued growth activities such as new academic challenges and leadership responsibilities, evaluating careers and majors, applying for college admittance, and seeking financial aid.

Chartered in 1936, SVEC maintains more than 8,000 miles of electric lines and serves more than 103,000 meters in the counties of Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Highland (all), Page (all), Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren in Virginia, and the city of Winchester (all). SVEC was the first electric cooperative chartered in Virginia.

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