Date:               Oct. 30, 2025

Contact:          Casey Hollins
                         Managing Director—Communications and Public Relations
                         (540) 891-5908, news@myrec.coop

Photo:             Salem Volunteer Fire Department (Culpeper) received $4,995 from The Power of Change to assist with equipping an all-terrain emergency response vehicle.  


For Immediate Release
 

 Fredericksburg, Va. — 

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) is proud to announce that, through the generosity of its members, The Power of Change program has awarded $118,858 in funding to 33 nonprofits across its 22-county service area.

 The funding supports underserved populations through a diverse range of projects focused on food insecurity, housing and shelter assistance, health and education programs, and other needs in our communities.

 Notable initiatives include Manna Ministries (Culpeper) meal assistance program, Madison Free Clinic dental services, and Childhelp’s Alice C. Tyler Village (Lignum) which supports the needs of at-risk children. 

 “This funding shows what Cooperative members can do together to empower local nonprofits to continue and expand their vital services which uplifts our communities throughout the region,” explained Casey Hollins, Managing Director – Public Relations and Communications for REC.

 A small amount of your change can really add up to make a significant impact!

 The Power of Change program pools the money that REC members give voluntarily to support nonprofits focused on addressing the areas of need that are most important to the Cooperative’s members. Currently more than 36,000 REC members contribute by simply rounding up their electric bill each month to the next whole dollar, averaging just 51 cents. Twice a year, these member donations to The Power of Change are made available to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in our communities. The Power of Change is administered by the Community Awareness of Rappahannock Electric Charity, Inc., or CARE Board, made up of 10 REC members. Since 2005, $1.7 million has been awarded back to our communities. Learn more and enroll today at thepowerofchange.org.  

 The 2025 Fall Recipients of The Power of Change – Culpeper Region

 Manna Ministry (Culpeper) received $7,500 for their Healthy Meals 3 Days a Week service for those in need.

Madison Free Clinic received $5,000 for the Healthy Teeth Healthy Heart initiative for uninsured and underinsured individuals.

 Salem Volunteer Fire Department (Culpeper) received $4,995 to assist with equipping an all-terrain emergency response vehicle.

 Headwaters Rappahannock County Public Education Foundation (Washington) received $4,500 for the Summer Program for Adventure, Recreation, and Knowledge (SPARK) Day Camp.

 Greene Care Clinic received $4,000 to provide computer upgrades needed to protect patient data.

 Childhelp, Inc. (Lignum) received $3,000 for the  Alice C. Tyler Village, a unique, trauma-focused residential treatment center for children.

 Culpeper Library Foundation received $3,000 for Adventure Backpacks as part of the Library of Things for children to check out and explore outdoor learning.

 Greene County Child Care Association (Ruckersville) received $3,000 to purchase supplies to build a Gaga Pit for outdoor play and physical health.

 Service Dogs of Virginia  (Charlottesville) received $2,500 to provide service dogs to people with disabilities and for counseling centers, schools, and other therapeutic settings.

 The Child Care and Learning Center (Washington) received $1,528.17 for their Nature’s Music Garden to support outdoor play and learning.

 

About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative 

REC provides electric service to over 183,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 18,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.