Heatupstlouis.org Encourages MO/IL Area Seniors, Disabled and Low-Income Households To Qualify for $400K In Additional Utility Assistance; Avoid Unsafe Methods of Heating Homes With Space Heaters, Stoves, Hotplates or Bar-B-Q Pits
St. Louis — Heatupstlouis.org, a regional volunteer independent, not-for-profit utility assistance, and advocacy charity covering the greater St. Louis bi-state area in Missouri and Illinois counties, is encouraging those qualified seniors, disabled and low-income people to obtain help this winter, and avoid unsafe method of heating their homes, at the same time, possible disconnections.
“Please pay something on your utility bills, and always call your local utility and tell them of your inability to pay to avoid disconnection notice during these harsh winter days,” said Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus of Heatupstlouis.org. “However, we encourage those people in the bi-state area to also seek help, and not be embarrassed and end up using unsafe methods of heating their homes, like space heaters as a primary heating source.” In Missouri the CWR (Cold Weather Rule) prohibits disconnections when the temperature is predicted to drop below 32 degrees. Heatupstlouis.org also provides primary warming shelter locations on its website. Rev. Nance insists that the charity still needs more tax-deductible donations.
Heatupstlouis.org wants you to also check on elderly and disabled neighbors, as well as keep pets indoors. Those in need of utility assistance based on low income, health, senior, and disabled status, who haven’t been helped since January 1, 2015, should log-on to www.heatupstlouis.org, if they have computer accessibility or call the automated regional hotline at 314-241-7668.
Tax-deductible donations may also be sent via www.heatupstlouis.org; or Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc. c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188. The charity is governed by a regional, all-volunteer 56 member board of directors.
Heat-Up St. Louis is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and since its inception in 2000 it has impacted the lives of more than 300,000 and received more than $11 million in various levels of donations. 100% of all public donations are strictly used for servicing the needs of qualified seniors, disabled and low-income families. This is an exception unlike most other charities, who take donations for salaries, and operations, etc.
Winter time has the highest rates of home fires, that’s because many people use heaters as their primary source to stay warm, and that can be proven dangerous. Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, representing the Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis, is also co-chairman of the Health and Safety Committee for heatupstlouis.org, along with noted vascular surgeon Dr. James Knight.