REC seeks to invest in community

CONTRIBUTED REPORT

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) will soon award cash donations to charities and nonprofits that serve REC communities.

The Power of Change is funded primarily by voluntary contributions from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) members and from other funds donated for charitable purposes. The Power of Change is administered by the Community Awareness of Rap- pahannock Electric Charity, Inc. (CARE Charity, Inc. or CARE), which distributes funds per the criteria specified in its guidelines.

Grants must support one or more of the following categories: community service; health, recreation or safety; or education, youth or the environment.

Deadlines to apply are Feb. 10 and Aug. 10. Funding is determined by the CARE Board in March and September. Applicants are notified of status in April and October. Visit thepowerofchange.org for more information and to apply online. Inquiries can be made by calling (800) 552-3904 or emailing ThePowerOfChange@myrec.coop.

REC is a member-owned utility that provides electric service to nearly 170,000 connections in portions of 22 Virginia counties, including Hanover County.

For more information on funding or to view the eligibility and guidelines, visit thepowerofchange.org.

Utilities customers can apply for water assistance program

Contributed Report

Customers of the Hanover County Department of Public Utilities are now able to apply online for assistance from the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). This program is a temporary federal-funded program created to assist low-income households with water and wastewater bills.

Households eligible for LIHWAP assistance must have a past due water/wastewater balance and a gross household income below 150% of the federal poverty level based on household size. Priority will be given to households whose water/wastewa- ter has been disconnected or is at risk of disconnection.

Customers can apply online by going to https://virginialihwap.com/lihwap. Customers can also apply by calling Promise at 1-888373-9908. Promise is the company that is managing the program in partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services.

The Hanover County Department of Public Utilities is not managing the program and has no role in determining whether a customer is eligible for assistance other than to verify account information directly with Promise.

Households eligible for LIHWAP assistance must:

„ Have a gross household income below 150% of the federal poverty level based on household size

„ Live in Virginia;

„ Have at least one U.S. citizen or eligible legal permanent resident;

„ Be responsible for paying the water/wastewater bill; and reading Olympics review at the Mechanicsville branch Library, saturday, Feb 18, 2 – 3 p.m. Gather, reading Olympic participants! We’re working as a team to discuss “escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” from this year’s reading Olympics list. Let’s go for reading gold together! For participants in Hanover County schools reading Olympics. The program will focus on discussion about the book as a group to prepare for the reading Olympics Challenge. Knowledge of the book or reading the book ahead of the program is strongly encouraged. adult stor ytime at the Mechanicsville branch Library, Friday, Feb. 24, 10:45 — 11:45 a.m. ages 18 and up you’re never too old to listen to a good story. If you are, or are the caregiver of, an adult who would enjoy the lively reading of picture books and lighthearted stories, join us for adult stor ytime! submitted by Carolyn Garner, adult public services coordinator.

„ Have service disconnected or at risk of disconnection within the next 30 days.

Information submitted by Tom Harris, Hanover County Public Information Officer.

Pokémon day at the Mechanicsville branch Library, saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m. — 1 p.m. Celebrate the anniversary of Pokémon with a variety of fun activities, crafts, and a showing of Pokémon: The First Movie! all ages welcome!