Harris Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $3,000 grant from East Central Energy's Operation Round Up Trust Board for equipment to fight grass fires.

"This $3,000 grant was a godsend for us volunteer firefighters because it enabled us to buy two used trucks from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources," said Doug Chaffee, volunteer firefighter and first responder. "Those trucks are worth close to $9,000 each and we got them for $1,000 each because fire departments get priority when the DNR sells used equipment. We invested another $600 each to paint them and they're ready to go."

Doug pointed out that the Harris Volunteer Fire Department needs substantial grass firefighting gear because of all the wilderness and roadways it serves, including the Interstate 35 corridor.

Operation Round Up is funded by ECE members who voluntarily have their electric bill rounded up each month to the next whole dollar. The funds are distributed by an independent trust board which meets quarterly to review requests for donations.

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