ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — A Robertsdale woman has been selected to lead Baldwin EMC’s charitable foundation, called “Operation Round Up.”

“They asked and I thought I could be a good steward of the money,” said Margaret Cooper in a telephone interview, adding that she was asked by the “Operation Round Up” board members to serve. She is one of the original board members, and has been serving since 2004. She served as the board’s treasurer before being named chairperson.

According to Karen Moore, Baldwin EMC vice president of member services and public relations, approximately $1.3 million has been raised and distributed to charities in Baldwin and South Monroe counties.

The money is raised, Moore says, when Baldwin EMC customers opt to have their bills rounded up to the next whole dollar. On average, the typical “Round Up” customer donates about $6 per year, but Moore says that with the thousands of Baldwin EMC customers, that money builds up quickly. Participation in the program is voluntary.

“Every application is investigated by a board member,” said Cooper, adding that the program is “all volunteer,” and not a penny of collected funds is used for administrative costs.

According to the Baldwin EMC Web site, “Baldwin EMC was the 200th cooperative nationwide to adopt Operation Round Up. The program was established in 1989 as a means of providing assistance to the less fortunate in the area each co-op serves. Through this program, basic needs of individuals such as food, shelter and healthcare can be met, in addition to providing assistance in areas such as education and the environment.”

While the grants go to organizations and people in need, Moore noted that the application is “through” and it can take three to four months for the process to be completed. Applicants must also sign a release allowing the committee to verify the information provided. The address for an application or more information on the program is at: baldwinemc.com/operationroundup.aspx

If Cooper’s name is familiar, she says that she has appeared in theater productions “all my life.”

“My mother brought me to auditions and rehearsals,” she said.

One of her favorite roles was Nellie in “South Pacific.”

Cooper works in the office of her husband, Dr. Keith Cooper, and at one time gave music lessons “as an avocation.”

Organizations that have received assistance include the Alabama Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, the Prosidee Pantry, and the Lighthouse, a shelter for people suffering from domestic abuse.

For the former music teacher the, “Ability to help more people “ and “Seeing where the money needs to be” are some of the benefits of being on the board.