Coastal Electric Cooperative members are helping six local students pursue their dreams by way of $30,000 in scholarships.

Stephanie Harter, Matthew Gabriel Ingram and Jeremiah Scott-Kollman of Richmond Hill High School; Jimmy Kyle Warren NeeSmith and Robert Miles Wood of McIntosh County Academy; and Ciara Daggett of First Preparatory Christian Academy earned $5,000 Coastal Electric Cooperative Foundation Scholarships for their first semester of college. Each scholarship is renewable for up to four years and a total of $20,000.

“Our members’ generosity is making a big difference in the lives of young people,” said Chris Fettes, Coastal Electric Cooperative CEO. “We’re thankful that so many people in our area value the importance of investing in bright students like these. Our members continue to take action to make our community a wonderful place to live.”

The Foundation’s main funding comes from Operation Round Up, a volunteer program through which Coastal Electric Cooperative members allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next whole dollar and invested back into the community to meet the food, health, safety, education and shelter needs of citizens in Bryan, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties.