Mission Statement

The mission of Palmetto Electric Trust is the accumulation and disbursement of funds for charitable purposes in southern Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper counties. This shall be accomplished by the disbursement of funds to individuals and organizations for food, shelter, clothing, health needs and education.

A little goes a long way to help our community

Since Palmetto Electric Cooperative was formed in 1940, we have been dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. We do this by not only providing affordable electric service to our members, but also by our active involvement in several important altruistic endeavors.

One of the most successful community service efforts in which we’re involved has been the Operation Round Up program. Founded by Palmetto Electric in 1989, Operation Round Up has been an incredibly successful way in which we have been able to help the less fortunate in our community.

How it works 

Through Operation Round Up, Palmetto Electric automatically rounds up a participating member’s electric bills to the next highest dollar. For example, a consumer’s monthly bill of $52.73 would be automatically rounded up to $53.00, with the additional 27 cents going to the Operation Round Up fund. On an annual basis, we are able to donate roughly $6 for each participating customer, and that pool of money is then allocated to a variety of worthy causes throughout our service area.

Palmetto Electric Trust (PET), a volunteer board, administers member donations to Operation Round Up. These funds are used to assist individuals in need, as well as community organizations, and cannot be used for political purposes. The trust also funds scholarships for local students and grants for Bright Ideas, a co-op program to reward teachers for innovative classroom projects, and also supports vital community services.

Since 1989, when the co-op created Operation Round Up, the trust has contributed more than $10 million in grants in southern Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties. Nearly 86% of Palmetto’s members participate in Operation Round Up. The money raised through Operation Round Up has the potential to make an overwhelming difference for the less fortunate in our community and is further proof that "Small Change can Change Lives".

Organization and Individual Application Process 

The Palmetto Electric Trust Board meets bi-monthly. Meetings will be held in January, March, May, July, September and November. Completed applications and required materials MUST BE SUBMITTED by the 25th of the month prior to the meeting. 

BEGINNING AN OPERATION ROUND UP PROGRAM

If you are a member of the cooperative family and would like to begin an Operation Round Up program for your members, Palmetto Electric is pleased to share information with you. You’ll find that good communication with your employees, your members and the public are crucial in starting such a program in your own service area. 

*If you would like to join the Operation Round Up team, simply write to Palmetto Electric at 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville SC 29927, attn: President’s Office, for permission to use the Registered Trademark Operation Round Up. 

Since we first began in 1989, the Operation Round Up program has been adopted by more than 350 cooperatives nationwide. To qualify, we require only that your board approve the program, that you complete an agreement form, and that no funds be used for political purposes. How you choose to promote the program and distribute collected funds is entirely at the discretion of your organization.

For additional information, call Palmetto Electric at 1-800-922-5551 or e-mail us at Operation Round Up