Heatupstlouis.org Raises a Record $705,000, a 76% Increase Over Its $400,000 2020 Goal, and a 23% Increase Over Last Year’s Efforts of about $570,000 Raised – Helping with Winter Heating Bills
Heatupstlouis.org, a non-utility, independent education and advocacy charity serving the greater bi-state area by paying energy bills, announces a record-breaking $705,000 raised during the 20th Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat benefit on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. This is a 76% increase over its 2020 campaign goal of $400,000. And it is a 23% increase over last year’s fundraising efforts of about $570,000 raised. Hardee’s had extended its canister collection through Monday, February 17.
Hardee’s special offer this year was $1.00 for a Sausage Biscuit or Egg Biscuit. The entire sales proceeds, along with canister and apron collections from about 650 volunteers, plus on-line, grants and corporate donations, will go to help Illinois and Missouri area seniors, the physically disabled and low-income families with children with their delinquent heating bills through the end of March, 2020. Warner L. Baxter, chairman, president and CEO of Ameren Corporation, serves as this year’s campaign chair, even though this benefit will pay for propane, natural gas and home heating oil, as well as electric utilities.
“The spirit of the St. Louis region is awesome,” said the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., Corporate Treasurer and general chairperson. “We appreciate those hundreds of volunteers and St. Louis media market members, all who braved the morning bitter cold to show some love for their neighbors, who are making choices between heating, eating, and paying for their high meds and other essentials in life. The St. Louis media joined together as a dynamic force to beat down Old Man Winter.”
FOX 2, KTVI; KSDK 5 On Your Side and KMOV Channel 4 all did live interviews from various Hardee’s locations with board members, many who are regional leaders and newsmakers. In addition, Entercom stations, including KMOX; Hubbard stations, including WIL-FM; I-Heart Media stations, including The Bull; and Radio One stations, including 95.5-FM, all provided live remotes and/or celebrity call-ins. The St. Louis American also provided pro bono advertising of the Rise and Shine campaign.
“It takes a village to help reduce high utility bills,” said the Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr. “This annual campaign reflects the spirit of giving and working together to reduce homelessness and poverty in the greater metropolitan area.”
Even though the 20th Annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat campaign takes place in the immediate greater St. Louis area, the charity now services about 44 Missouri and Illinois counties and the City of St. Louis. This includes as far as the Bootheel and Jefferson City/Columbia areas, which were not involved in this Hardee’s Rise and Shine campaign.
If the public wishes to donate or needs help with their winter utility bills, they may go to Heatupstlouis.org, a secure website, to donate or fill out a questionnaire for assistance.