The Jackson EMC Foundation, a charity funded by donations from the cooperative’s members through Operation Round Up, has awarded more than $28,000 in grants to four local organizations.

Good News Clinics received $7,500 to help fund laboratory tests for patients. The Sam Poole Medical Clinic provides free medical care and medications to uninsured Hall County residents using volunteer physicians and other health care professionals.

“Laboratory tests are vital for diagnostic purposes and for physicians to determine proper medical care. On average, we provide 900 laboratory tests each month,” said Executive Director Cheryl Christian.

Guest House in Gainesville was awarded $5,000 to assist with adult day health care. The nonprofit provides seniors with health and therapeutic activities as well as the opportunity to socialize and remain independent. It also enables seniors’ caregivers to work or take time for themselves. Grant funds will be used to help cover personnel expenses.

Gateway House received $8,200 to help fund the Domestic Violence Outreach and Education Program that provides abuse education to Gainesville and Hall County elementary and middle school students.

“The issue of teen dating violence has made the news frequently over the past year,” said Gateway House Executive Director Jessica Butler. “Many new studies report that 1 in 3 teens will be affected by dating violence before they reach the age of 18. Gateway is on the front lines teaching young people about warning signs and red flags for unhealthy relationships.”

Lastly, For Her Glory was given a $7,500 grant to help cancer patients purchase items they cannot financially secure on their own.

“We want to preserve the dignity, self-esteem and sense of well-being of cancer survivors who as a result of chemically-induced baldness or mastectomy need items such as wigs, compression sleeves and gloves, bras and other miscellaneous items that insurance will not cover,” said co-founder Scott Piotrowski. “For Her Glory works directly with The Shoppe at the Longstreet Clinic to purchase these items and help patients continue resuming their normal lifestyle activities while restoring their self-confidence,” said co-founder Jackie Cooley.

Jackson EMC members fund these grants by volunteering to have their monthly electric bills rounded up to the next dollar amount. Since October 2005, this “spare change” has funded 365 grants to organizations and 148 grants to individuals, putting more than $3.9 million back into local communities.

Any individual or charitable organization in the 10 counties served by Jackson EMC — Clarke, Banks, Barrow, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe — may apply for a foundation grant by completing an application online.