Over $40,000 awarded to Oceana organizations through GLE People Fund.

Over $40,000 awarded to Oceana organizations through GLE People Fund.

The Great Lakes Energy (GLE) People Fund has set a new organizational record of grants awarded in a single grant cycle. More than $263,000 has been marked for charitable and community organizations throughout the GLE service area, surpassing the 2020 grant amount total by more than $35,000. 

A total $40,300 was awarded to organizations in Oceana County.

The granted funds were awarded to 82 charitable and community organizations throughout Great Lakes Energy’s 26-county service area, which stretches from Kalamazoo to the Mackinac Straits.

“To have already exceeded the total amount that was granted in 2020 in our first cycle of 2021 is very exciting,” says President/CEO Bill Scott. “There is no more appropriate time than now for our People Fund contributors to make such an impressive statement, and difference, in our community.”

Members of the electric cooperative who wish to participate are encouraged to enroll in the People Fund online at gtlakes.com or by contacting Great Lakes Energy’s office.

“Members who simply round up their bill to the nearest dollar and contribute to the People Fund collectively pass on tremendous good to our communities,” states Scott. “This generosity and selflessness aligns with the cooperative principles we abide by at GLE and it is our privilege to lead this program.”

The following Oceana County organizations were awarded funding:

• Friends of Shelby Area District Library, Shelby: $2,500 for shelving.
• Golden Township, Mears: $5,000 for the Golden Township Park at Silver Lake for lighting and walkways.
• New Era Christian Reformed Church, New Era: $750 for a community garden.
• Oceana County Parks & Recreation Commission, Hart: $2,450 for picnic tables.
• Shelby Township, Shelby: $7,500 for Shelby Township Community Park.
• Spiritual Care Consultants of West Michigan, New Era: $5,000 for children and adolescent virtual program.
• Stony Lake Therapeutic Riding Center, New Era: $6,000 for student riding scholarships.
• The Harbor House of Hart, Hart: $2,600 for HVAC equipment installation.
• West Michigan SAIL Program, Pentwater: $8,500 for veteran aide.

The Great Lakes Energy People Fund is accepting applications from local non-profit organizations for the final 2021 grant cycle. The deadlines for letters of intent is Oct. 1 with grant applications due by Oct. 15. Visit gtlakes.com/people-fund/ to submit an application.

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