What starts as spare change has become a life-changing investment in local communities. Through Roanoke Cooperative’s Operation Round Up program, member-owners can round their monthly electric bills up to the nearest dollar, with those pennies collectively creating thousands of dollars in grant funding for organizations making a real difference across northeastern North Carolina.
For organizations like 252 United Youth AAU Basketball Program, those dollars represent far more than financial support — they represent opportunity, encouragement, mentorship, and hope for the future.
Recently awarded a $5,000 Operation Round Up grant, 252 United is using the funding to help cover tournament entry fees and travel expenses for its Summer 2026 basketball season. While the grant helps ease financial burdens, the true impact reaches much deeper than the court itself.
Founded to provide young athletes with a positive and structured environment, 252 United focuses on developing student-athletes both on and off the basketball court. The program serves youth from Hertford and Bertie counties, emphasizing discipline, teamwork, accountability, leadership, and academics while building strong bonds among players and coaches.
During the grant presentation, one theme became overwhelmingly clear: brotherhood.
When players were asked what they enjoyed most about being part of 252 United, nearly every answer centered around family, friendship, chemistry, and support. That sense of connection was evident in every interview.
“This is my second year, and my favorite part is the relationships with the players and coaches,” shared Jamarion Watson. “It’s very fun, and we all get along together.”
AJ Smallwood echoed those thoughts, saying his favorite part of the program is “there’s friends that I know on the team and they don’t have mean attitudes.”
For Marquise Deloatch, the family atmosphere stands out most. “Everybody is close,” he said. “We have a lot of family that supports us.”
Detron Hand shared that one of his favorite parts of being on the team is simply “going different places together.”
Jayceon Taff explained that beyond basketball, some of the best moments come after the games. “We probably do something fun after we get the win,” he said with a smile.
Cameron Williford summed it up best when he described the team as “really just like your brothers.”
Those comments speak volumes about the culture the coaches have worked to create.
For many of these young athletes, basketball is only part of the experience. The volunteer coaches serve as mentors, role models, transportation coordinators, encouragers, and trusted support systems. Ensuring players have opportunities sometimes means a coach personally picking them up for practice so they never miss the chance to participate. Coaches also intentionally help players build confidence beyond athletics by encouraging communication skills, leadership, and personal growth.
Dedicated coaches Shelton Simmons, Willie Williford, Demetrius Epps, and Kim Valentine invest countless hours into mentoring the players, helping maintain academic accountability, supporting families, and creating opportunities for youth who may otherwise never have access to competitive travel basketball.
The Operation Round Up grant will help the team continue traveling to tournaments that expose players to new experiences and opportunities. Over the years, 252 United athletes have traveled to places like New York and are preparing for a tournament in Florida this summer.
When asked what the donation would mean for the team, several players immediately spoke about opportunities. Marquise shared that the funding would help create “more opportunities to travel to bigger and better places for tournaments.” Detron Hand said the grant would help with transportation and allow the team to continue traveling together.
Coach Simmons shared that when the players first learned they had received the grant, excitement quickly turned toward possibility — the opportunity to continue building experiences for the team and ensuring financial barriers do not keep players from participating.
That is the heart of Operation Round Up.
Every penny rounded up by Roanoke Cooperative member-owners helps strengthen communities by supporting organizations that pour directly back into the community. Whether supporting community initiatives, or helping youth programs like 252 United thrive, Operation Round Up demonstrates the incredible impact that can happen when communities work together.
What may feel like a few cents on a monthly bill becomes investments in
practice, tournament entry fees, mentorship opportunities, exposure to new experiences, and encouragement for the next generation of leaders.
For the young athletes of 252 United, this grant is more than funding — it is a reminder that their community believes in them.
