In this innovative program, your electric bill is rounded up to the nearest dollar each month. The "small change" (an average of 50 cents per month, or an average of $6 per year) is then earmarked for community betterment groups and other local organizations.

Looking for funding? Penny Power grants are awarded quarterly. Deadlines are the first Mondays in January, April, July and October. To request an application, call (800) 232-4797 or email us at ldotson@adams.net. Please provide a very brief description of your project (such as "needing funding for safety training equipment for the fire department") along with your name, organization, address and phone number. Let us know if you'd prefer a hard copy of the application or a Microsoft Word version by email.

We are grateful to our membership for approving the program at our 2004 Annual Meeting and appreciate your support. Every member is automatically in the program. However, members may "Opt Out" at any time. If you are NOT interested in participating in the program, please contact Adams Electric Cooperative by phone at (800) 232-4797. The Adams Outlet (our monthly member newsletter) will continue to keep you updated on the distribution of Penny Power Funds.

Thanks to the generosity of our members, the Penny Power program has supported:

2005 - 1st Grants
$4,000 - Mt. Sterling Police Department; drug dog & training for a drug dog program.
$5,000 - Quincy Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association; emergency response vehicle for the Emergency Response Team of the Quincy Police Department.

2006 - 1st Quarter
$5,000 - Mendon P.T.O. for Unity Schools; playground equipment.
$1,199 - Central Adams County Fire Department; computer for training, record keeping & filing reports.
$749 - Quincy Christian School; projector to enhance programs at the school & in the community.
$300 - Coatsburg Lions Club; two bus stop shelters for children of Coatsburg.
$5,000 - Liberty Schools; two ball diamonds & a concession stand.

2006 - 2nd Quarter
$3,000 - Central Schools; outdoor restrooms.
$2,000 - Catholic Youth Organization; backstop & fencing for second ballfield at Maranatha.
$2,000 - People Loving Active Youth (P.L.A.Y.); playground equipment at Schuy-Rush Park Campground.
$500 - Golden Fire Protection District; digital projector & projection screen for training.
$500 - University of Illinois Extension of Cass & Schuyler Counties; tiller for community garden project.
$300 - East Union Community Club; paint for inside & outside of one-room school house.

2006 - 3rd Quarter
$1,000 - Friends of the Trails; sidewalk along Front St. in Quincy for pedestrians and bicyclists.
$1,000 - Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials; book bags for income eligible students for the School Supply Project.
$500 - St. Paul Church of Christ; sidewalk upgrade.

2006 - 4th Quarter
$2,500 - Payson Seymour Elementary School; playground.
$2,000 - Rushville Fire Dept.; pagers.
$3000 - Clayton Public Library District; siding for facility.
$2500 - Quincy Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association; drug dog/squad car.
$1000 - Girl Scouts of Two Rivers Council; long distance portable radios.
$1000 - Central Middle School; hands-on robotics training for Robotics Boot Camp.
$300 - Zion Lutheran Church; art supplies for after school Kid's Club program.

2007 - 1st Quarter
$500 - Mendon Elementary; books & magazines for library.
$2,000 - Adams Co. Fair Assoc.; lights for grandstand arena.
$2,000 - Adams Co. Olde Tyme Assoc.; paint & repair round barn.
$1,000 - Unity High School; smartboard for art room.
$1,050 - Community Outreach Clinic; thermometers & large scale.

2007 - 2nd Quarter
$1,000 - Liberty Fire Auxiliary; CPR training equipment.
$2,000 - Mendon Fire Dept.; brush truck.
$250 - Schuyler Co. Food Basket; food.
$1,000 - Coatsburg Lions Club; war memorial in Paloma.
$950 - Habitat for Humanity; kitchen & bath cabinetry for new house.
$1,000 - University of Illinois Extension; community gardens in Mt. Sterling & Quincy.
$139 - Fall Creek Friends 4-H Club; tree for Payson park.
$1,855 - Camp Callahan; all-terrain wheelchair.
$1,000 - Unity High School; stage renovation.
$1,000 - University of Illinois Extension; paint & repair Jackson-Lincoln pool.

2007 - 3rd Quarter
$750 - Liberty Grade School; Reading Is Fundamental program.
$2,000 - Two Rivers Council; school supplies.
$1,000 - Unity Middle School; calculators for classroom.
$750 - Redmon & Lee Community Assoc.; repair air conditioning.
$1,631.29 - Central Elementary School; sensory room for autistic students.
$1,000 - Quincy Junior High; PE fitness lab.
$500 - Adams Co. Retired Teachers; paint for old school house at fairgrounds.
$1,500 - People Loving Active Youth; phase 2 of Schuy-Rush Park playground.
$250 - Barry Food Pantry; canned fruit & vegetables.

2007 - 4th Quarter
$500 - Habitat for Humanity; HVAC for Mendon home.
$1,500 - Seymour High School; gym mats.
$1,000 - Camp Point Fire Dept.; new facility in Camp Point.
$2,000 - Mt. Sterling Emergency Services; new facility in Mt. Sterling.
$1,500 - Toys for Tots; toys for needy kids.
$300 - Brown Co. Food Basket; food.
$1,000 - Quincy Citizens Police Academy; equipment for emergency response team.

2008 - 1st Quarter
$275 - Beverly Park; electrical upgrades.
$500 - Schuyler Co. Food Basket; food items.

2008 - 2nd Quarter
$1,000 - Community for Christ Assistance Center; expand food pantry items.
$2,000 - Clayton Fire Protection; energy efficiency improvements.
$2,000 - Quincy Senior High School; classroom libraries & to promote student literacy
$1,000 - Rushville Fire Dept.; kitchen remodeling.
$2,500 - Coatsburg/Paloma Lions Club; playground equipment near Coatsburg Ballpark.
$1,000 - Faith Assembly of God Church; softball field lights.
$500 - Fowler Development Association; landscaping around welcome signs.
$500 - Adams/Brown 4-H Federation; rabbit cages at Adams Co. Fair.
$399.90 - Girl Scouts of Central Illinois; rechargeable lanterns for Wildwood Girl Scout Camp.
$2,000 - Panther Pride Foundation; training materials for "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" program.
$600 - Clayton Public Library; library siding & repairs at entrance.
$1,000 - Bowen Pool Committee; Bowen Community Swimming Pool restoration fund.
$270 - Quincy Public Schools Special Education Dept.; digital equipment.
$200 - Barry Food Pantry; food pantry.

If your group or organization is interested in obtaining a Penny Power Grant Application, contact Adams Electric Cooperative at (800) 232-4797.