The Power of Change Awards more than $120,000 to 40 Nonprofits Across Virginia

Date:                May 8, 2026

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

 The Power of Change Awards more than $120,000 to 40 Nonprofits Across Virginia

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — The Power of Change has awarded $122,185.32 in member-funded grants to 40 nonprofit organizations serving communities across Rappahannock Electric Cooperative’s 22-county service area.

The spring 2026 grants support programs focused on food insecurity, housing and shelter assistance, health care, education, emergency services and other community needs.

Notable initiatives include Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Company Inc., which received $8,414.90 for a gear extractor, a specialized washing system designed for firefighter personal protective equipment; Good Samaritan Inc. in Orange, which received $5,000 for its Weekend Meal Backpacks project, delivering essential food support to students in need; and Hero’s Bridge in Warrenton, which received $5,000 for its Battle Buddy Nutrition Program serving senior veterans.

“The Power of Change shows what can happen when thousands of REC member-owners come together to support their communities,” said Casey Hollins, managing director - communications and public relations at REC. “An average contribution of just 51 cents a month helps fund programs that provide food, shelter, health care, education, emergency services and other critical support across our service area.”

Currently, more than 37,000 member-owners participate by rounding up their electric bill to the next whole dollar.

About The Power of Change

The Power of Change allows REC member-owners to voluntarily support nonprofits serving community needs across REC’s service area. Participating members round up their electric bills to the next whole dollar, with the average monthly contribution totaling 51 cents. Twice a year, these member-funded donations are awarded to local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Since 2005, The Power of Change has invested $1.8 million back into the communities REC serves. Learn more at thepowerofchange.org

Spring 2026 The Power of Change Recipients included:

Culpeper Literacy Council, $2,100, Culpeper, (serves Culpeper, Orange and Fauquier counties)

Culpeper Mid-Day Lions Foundation, $3,690, Culpeper, (serves Culpeper County)

Culpeper Wellness Foundation, $3,000, Culpeper, (serves Culpeper County)

Fauquier County Master Gardeners Association, $1,000, Warrenton, (serves Rappahannock and Fauquier counties)

Fauquier Fish, $2,000, Warrenton, (serves Fauquier County)

Germanna Community College Educational Foundation, $2,000, Locust Grove, (serves Stafford, Caroline, Orange, Culpeper and Spotsylvania counties)

Good Samaritan Inc., $5,000, Orange, (serves Orange County)

Hero’s Bridge, $5,000, Warrenton, (serves Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison, Orange and Fauquier counties)

Madison Emergency Services Association, $2,500, Pratts, (serves Madison County)

Operation First Response Inc., $5,000, Culpeper, (serves Culpeper County)

Orange Baptist Church, $600, Orange, (serves Orange County)

Orange County Free Clinic Inc., $1,380, Orange, (serves Orange County)

Playdate: A Children’s Museum, $4,000, Culpeper, (serves Culpeper, Rappahannock, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Spotsylvania counties)

Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Company Inc., $8,414.90, Ruckersville, (serves Greene County)

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Culpeper Food Closet, $1,800, Culpeper, (serves Culpeper County)

About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative 

Serving more than 185,000 connections across portions of 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

 
Photo: Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Company received $8,414.90 from The Power of Change. From left to right are Tracy Woods (REC), Sam Jeffers, Matt Hildebrand, Harold Richards, Scotty Batten and Pat Thomasson (CARE Board).