Volunteer Energy Cooperative's VECustomers Share program has announced its awarding of $2,500 in grants to Hamilton County groups in March.

Hamilton County groups receiving grants last month included: Ooltewah High School Band Boosters, which got $1,000; BASIC of Tennessee, which received a $500; Central High School Baseball Boosters, which got a $500 grant; Children's Advocacy Center of Hamilton County, which received $300 grant; and Muscular Dystrophy Association of Hamilton County, which got $200.

VECustomers Share is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization covering VEC's 17-county service area.

The program has donated more than $4.8 million to community-service organizations throughout VEC's 17-county service area since its founding in October 2001.