published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013

PRECO is taking applications for scholarships

Special to the News-Sun

WAUCHULA - Operation Round Up, the independent charitable foundation of Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO), is now accepting college scholarship applications. A total of $30,000 will be awarded to as many as 10 college-bound students in March. The foundation's board of directors seeks to grant five $4,000 scholarships and five $2,000 scholarships.

Graduating high school seniors seeking a college degree and adults desiring to further their education or enhance their job skills are invited to apply. Applicants must reside at a permanent residence which receives power from PRECO. The Wauchula-based cooperative serves 10 central Florida counties, including Highlands and Hardee.

"Rising educational costs and our national economy are placing a huge burden on college students, so we're pleased to offer this opportunity," shares Julian 'Tip' Tharp, Operation Round Up board president. "It is our mission and privilege to support the community through the provision of these scholarships."

The application is available at high school guidance offices or on PRECO's website at www.preco.coop. The deadline for completed applications is March 1.

Operation Round Up collects voluntary donations from its members for community charitable uses. Participating consumers have their electric bills 'rounded up' to the next dollar to provide charitable funds in the areas of food, shelter, clothing, medical, environmental, and education.

Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO), a Touchstone Energy distribution electric cooperative headquartered in Wauchula provides electric service and energy solutions to nearly 35,000 member/consumers in 10 Florida counties in central Florida: Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Osceola, Polk and Sarasota Counties. Through almost 4,000 miles of power lines, the electric cooperative has been in business since 1940 as a member-owned, not-for-profit organization.