Neighbors Helping Neighbors: OEC Round Up Donation Expands Lifesaving Equipment in Newcastle

A few cents at a time, Newcastle residents are saving lives. Through Oklahoma Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up program, community donations have provided three new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the City of Newcastle, ensuring help is never far away in a cardiac emergency.

The $3,000 grant, funded entirely by OEC members who voluntarily round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar, supplied new AED units for City Hall, the Newcastle Storm Shelter, and the Water Department. Two older but still functional AEDs will be relocated to the Street Department and the Water Treatment Plant, expanding coverage across more city facilities.

Alan Davenport, a longtime Newcastle resident, local historian, and OEC Round Up board member, said the impact goes beyond dollars and cents. “People don’t always realize that their spare change adds up to real safety,” Davenport said. “Your quarter and my dime turn into equipment that could save the life of someone you know.”

Donnie Sullins, Newcastle’s Emergency Management Director and Safety Officer, led the grant application. A retired firefighter, Sullins understands how critical immediate access to an AED can be. “We hope these are never needed,” he said, “but if they are, we’ll be ready. Having these devices nearby buys precious minutes until first responders arrive.”

Before this donation, only the fire department and two municipal buildings were equipped with AEDs. Budget limitations had made further expansion difficult. With the city’s growth and increased foot traffic in public buildings, the added coverage strengthens safety for both employees and visitors.

OEC’s Operation Round Up program supports local safety, education, and community projects across its seven-county service area. By contributing an average of just a few cents each month, members collectively fund meaningful improvements that directly benefit their own communities.

“The cooperative spirit is alive and well,” Davenport said. “When neighbors look out for each other, small acts add up to something powerful.”