PENDLETON — More Than Conquerors, a local organization that provides free after-school care for students in the South Madison Community School Corp., recently marked a weekend of celebration and good news, including a boost from some unexpected financial support.

More Than Conquerors celebrated one year of serving the community with volunteers and donors. And it was during the celebration the group was told it is to be a recipient of a $10,000 NineStar Connect Round-Up Grant.

NineStar Connect, an area electric utility and telecommunications cooperative, offers grants supported by its members who participate in its Round-Up program; customers can choose to round up their bills to the nearest dollar, with that additional amount going to the grant program.

Dick Creger, a member of the Operation Round-Up board and active the Pendleton community, gave the group the news.

The three women who run the after-school care group, directors Esta Henderson, Katie Torrence and Caitlin Evans, said they were surprised to hear they received such a large award.

The money will help keep the free after-school program running along with other free community events they sponsor, officials said.

“We will be using the majority of the grant to fully fund our liability insurance for the 2017 year,” Evans said.

She said the group appreciates receiving the support to sustain the program.

The check will be presented formally in March.

More Than Conquerors aims to provide safe places to empower generations, leaders said.

It has a three-part vision for helping the community — they aim to connect individuals to God through programs that serve youth, families and young adults, leaders said.

For more details about More Than Conquerors, its programs or how people can support it, visit weareconquering.com.