$50,000 Worth of Dough Rolls Into Heat-Up St. Louis
More than 400 area volunteers composed of civic, religious, business and political leaders served as celebrity hosts for the annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat-Up St. Louis, which was held this past Friday beginning the Valentine’s Day Weekend.Ê The record amount for this year’s fundraiser was $50,000, which was up by 25% over last year.
This year’s theme of ” Have a Heart and Heat Home,” included Mayor Francis G. Slay, St. Louis Fire Chief Sherman George and about ten other area fire chiefs, members of the the Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis, Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, Melanie Dileo of Citigroup, MO State Auditor Claire McCaskill, Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., Police Chief Joe Mokwa, State Senator Patrick Doughtery, a host of area municipal Mayors, and local radio and television celebrities.
As a matter of fact, all three major television station networks, Channel 4, 5 and 2 provided live morning segments at various Hardee’s locations. The day before, Channel 11 did a live weather shot. Channel 46, 30 and the 14 networks of Charter Cable also provided on air PSA support. They were joined with the strong support of about 15 radio stations, who provided live remotes, call-ins and live-liner support while entertaining the thousands of Hardee’s customers who dropped off donations, or purchased a made-for-scratch egg and cheese biscuit or sausage and egg biscuit sandwich for the special price of $1.00.
“The people of St. Louis have shown tremendous generosity,” said Melanie McVay DiLeo, chairwoman of the board of directors for Heat-Up St. Louis.Ê “These are challenging times for needy households, and we are delighted that Hardee’s showed a tremendous civic spirit and St. Louis pride to ensure that many will not go without heat this winter.”
People still wishing to give may do so, by logging onto the secured website of www.heatupstlouis.org or by writing a tax-deductible check or money order to Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188. Those needing assistance may call the Heat-Up Resource Hotline at 314-241-7668 and follow the instructions, please.