JACKSONVILLE – Through its foundation, Clay Electric Cooperative recognized the compassionate, escalating need and thankless work done by the Emmanuel Project by presenting the nonprofit a $10,000 gift on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Clay Electric representative Steve Hollingsworth presented the check to the group, which provides free, quality healthcare to uninsured adults and children facing financial challenges in its mobile medical units in Clay, Putnam, St. Johns and Duval counties. According to Emmanuel’s website, by meeting patients where they are, they’re able to break barriers to healthcare access, bridging gaps and enhancing the overall well-being of community members.

The services Emmanuel Project provides include wellness visits and prevention, school and sports physicals, sick visits, healthcare education, diagnosis and medication management, mental fitness, and one-on-one consultations with a pediatrician.

“We are so grateful for your recognition of our commitment to improving the health outcomes of communities across Northeast Florida,” Emmanuel posted on social media. “We are honored that Emmanuel Project was chosen to receive this financial donation to purchase medical equipment, increasing the medical services we provide. Your support strengthens our mission, bringing quality medical care to where it’s needed and to those who need it most, at no cost to the patient.

“By offering a hand comes hope. When people are healthy, they can work, care for their families, stand taller, feel stronger and thrive.”

The money donated was collected from Clay Electric customers who participate in the “Operation Round Up” program. This allows customers to round up their monthly bill to the nearest dollar, which can be donated to improve the community’s overall quality of life, with an emphasis on public safety, healthcare, self-sufficiency, food banks, athletic groups, scouting and basic human needs.

According to Clay Electric, the average donation is approximately 50 cents, or $11.88 per year, which amounts to $7.32 million annually. By the end of 2024, Clay Electric will have helped 340 organizations through “Operation Round Up.”

“Our leadership sees the Operation Round Up program as part of our cooperative heritage and values – people coming together to help their neighbors,” Clay Electric posted on its website. “Through Operation Round Up, our members have the opportunity to come together to create change in their communities through a foundation – something they couldn’t do individually on this scale.”

While Emmanuel Project North Florida serves four counties, its projects focused solely on Clay County include the Clay Impact Train, Baptist Medical Center Clay, The Way Free Medical Clinic, Mercy Support Services, Saved2Serve, the Melrose Center, Impact Clay, Seeds of Love Outreach, Clay SafetyNet Alliance, Lake Area Ministries Food Pantry, Keystone SafetyNet Alliance, Mission of the Dirt Road, High Ridge Initiative and Simplify Healthcare.

“A heartfelt thank you to every person who gives monthly through the ‘Clay Round Up’ program,” Emmanuel Project said. “Your monthly generosity fuels the missions of many, supporting organizations that care for your neighbors today and who will be there for you and your family if needed, too.”