Partnership provides hats and gloves for ELC students

Published 2:00 pm Thursday, January 25, 2024

As some of the coldest temperatures of the season rolled in recently, Baldwin County students had no problem staying warm thanks to a unique partnership between the Early Learning Center and Tri-County EMC. 

Carrie Brown, community partnership and family services manager at ELC, said Tri-County EMC’s Operation Roundup grant was responsible for recently funding hats and gloves for each of the school’s 286 students. 

According to information from Tri-County EMC’s website, Operation Roundup is funded by “voluntary contributions of Tri-County EMC’s customers to the Tri-County EMC Foundation.” When customers choose to round their monthly electric bill up to the next dollar, the amount rounded up is contributed to the fund used for charitable donations to worthy projects. 

Anna Smith, communication specialist at Tri-County EMC, said organizations within Tri-County’s eight-county service area are eligible to apply for the grant. Over the past few years, ELC has benefitted greatly from the program.

“I apply for those grants every three months, and almost every time, I get them, so I’m always trying to think of things that I see around that the kids might need,” Brown explained. 

Brown was aware that this particular grant would be awarded in December when colder weather was likely. Over just the past couple of weeks, temperatures have for several days dropped below freezing. 

“As the weather was getting colder, we had just gotten money to purchase coats, and I thought, ‘Well, the kids don’t have hats and gloves, and it’s really cold.’”

Brown applied for a $1,000 grant, and Tri-County EMC’s nine-member board voted to fund the asking amount. 

“It was no question that they would fund this project because it’s such a necessity and especially this time of year when it’s this cold outside,” Smith said. 

Thanks to the grant, the school was able to order 468 sets of hats and gloves. Each student received one set to keep inside the classroom for use at outside time, and there was also enough money to order each student a replacement set as well in the event that they get lost, soiled or torn. In addition, Brown said if any students need a set at home, parents can reach out to the school to receive them. 

“We knew that we didn’t need to send hats and gloves home with everybody, but we purchased enough that if a parent reaches out and needs those that we’re still able to send them home so they have a set at home and a set at school,” she said. 

ELC’s relationship with Tri-County EMC is one that Brown knows she can count on. Over the past few years, Tri-County has granted the school more than $7,000. Funds have been used for a variety of needs including car seats, booster seats, playground equipment for special needs students, home essential cleaning products for families, coats, clothing, shoes, underwear, socks and more. 

“I can’t say enough about Tri-County,” Brown said. “I always come up with ideas, and they always fund them … Tri-County has been huge in making sure that our families are able to get what they need.”

Brown said 75% of the students at ELC are from low-income families, and when families have a need, she is thankful to be able to help.

“They’re always super, super thankful…,” she said. “I’m just so thankful that we’re always able to provide it. I can’t think of a time that a family needed something and we weren’t able to get it… Our kids here, if they need something, we’re pretty much able to get it, and it’s through Tri-County that we’re able to do that.”

Brown said the students were excited to receive their hats and gloves, and their teachers were just as thrilled. The kids have already worn them during outside playtime. 

And as for Tri-County EMC, the reward is all in the giving. 

“The fact that we’re able to help be a part of providing that for a child, I think, is everything,” Smith said.