Ameren Missouri donates 800 air conditioners and energy assistance funds to Cooldownstlouis.org
Customers encouraged to register for Ameren Missouri programs designed to keep vulnerable neighbors safe and cool during the summer heat
ST. LOUIS (June 12, 2023) – In preparation for the hot summer weeks ahead, Ameren Missouri donated $100,000 to Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org to support the most vulnerable customers in St. Louis and eastern Missouri. The company also donated 800 Energy Star rated window air conditioners. On average, energy-efficient air conditioners cost less than a dollar a day to operate, allowing customers to stay cool and safe.
“Each summer, we make this annual giveaway a priority to help keep hundreds of our elderly and disabled neighbors safe and cool,” said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. “Our longtime partnership with Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org focuses on helping our most vulnerable customers stay safe during the heat of the summer.”
This year’s air conditioner donation marks the 23rd anniversary of Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org’s “Save our Seniors” (S.O.S) Cooling Summer Project. It is Ameren Missouri’s 18th year of participation in the program. Since then, Ameren Missouri has helped deliver nearly 10,000 window air conditioner units to qualified seniors and people with disabilities across the region.
“I can attest without exception that this charity, Cooldownstlouis.org has saved lives; and does save lives,” said St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, who also serves as the regional public safety chair for Cool Down as a member of the Greater St. Louis Fire Chiefs Association. “This Ameren and Cooldownstlouis.org joint effort is a phenomenal public service instrument.”
“As we head into the hot summer months, Ameren and Cooldownstlouis.org’s important partnership helps protect our region’s most vulnerable from the heat,” said Mayor Tishaura Jones, honorary chair of the bi-state area charity. “From the Save Our Senior program to providing utility grants to make sure residents can keep their air on, this unique partnership helps St. Louisans beat the heat while saving lives.”
Today, many volunteers prepared the donated units for statewide distribution to an already large waiting list of qualified seniors and clients with disabilities. Joining Birk were Ameren Missouri employees and Cool Down St. Louis/Missouri board members; Cool Down honorary board chair and St. Louis mayor Tishaura O. Jones; Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association; Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Inc.; Missouri State Senator Karla May; corporate treasurer Reverend Earl E. Nance Jr.; Kayla Wasson, NECAC CSBG program director; Ben Turec, Board President; Shannon Koenig, executive director, St. Louis County Housing Authority; Tara Oglesby, vice president, economic, community and business development for Ameren Missouri, and popular St. Louis television meteorologists.
“Being without an A/C can be a life-or-death decision for many throughout the St. Louis region,” said Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and an executive board member. “The Ameren Cool Down commitment to the region and state has become a lifesaver to Urban League, Sal Army, CAASTLC, and so many other partnering agencies.”
“I commend Ameren Missouri and Cooldownstlouis.org for their outstanding humanitarian gestures of pooling their resources and making sure that no one is left behind in the social safety net,” said Missouri State Senator Karla May, and the co-chair of Compliance and Sponsorships for the charity. “It is all about neighbors helping neighbors, and the public can be part of that support by making generous donations to the Cooldownstlouis.org.”
Other Ameren Missouri resources are available for seniors and those with medical concerns. Customers and their families are encouraged to visit AmerenMissouri.com/HealthAndSafety for information on:
- Medical Equipment Registry – Register your medical equipment so that we can notify you about planned maintenance outages. You should also have a back-up plan in place for emergency outages.
- The Caring Contact Program – Eligible customers may designate a person or agency for Ameren Missouri to contact prior to disconnection for nonpayment. Caring Contact helps protect the health and safety of older adults and people with disabilities who may need additional support in handling potential disconnection of service.
- Keeping Cool Program – Helps make summer energy bills more affordable for senior citizens, those with children under 5, or who have a documented chronic medical condition. It includes up to five monthly electric bill credits in the summer months to keep customers cool and safe.
- Weatherization Assistance – Qualifying income-eligible homeowners and renters within the area are eligible to receive assistance in the form of weatherization improvements to their homes through local agencies. Elderly and disabled persons are given preference. The improvements include caulking, water heater jackets, weather stripping, and insulation.
Ameren Missouri also offers energy efficiency programs that are designed to benefit income-eligible customers, which helps them save energy and money without sacrificing comfort. Since the launch of the first energy efficiency program in 2009, Ameren Missouri has invested more than $700 million in energy and cost savings opportunities for its customers. Additionally, these programs create opportunities for community partnerships, including hundreds of retailers and trade allies statewide to implement multiple energy efficiency programs with residential and business customers.
Older adults and people with disabilities as well as low- to moderate-income families are encouraged to apply for energy assistance funds by visiting Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org websites or by calling 314.241.0001 or 314.834.0034, which are their hotlines for seniors and people with disabilities only.
Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org will also be distributing 200,000 cooling cards with helpful summer tips along with Ameren Missouri’s contact information to connect customers to available resources.
Energy assistance is also available to Ameren Missouri customers who need help paying their bills. Visit AmerenMissouri.com/EnergyAssistance to learn about various support options, including:
- Budget Billing Plan – A free option that helps level out seasonal changes in customers’ energy bills by dividing the previous year’s usage into predictable baseline monthly payments. The result is more peace of mind and an energy bill that stays the same – even when the temperature outside does not.
- Pick A Due Date – Pick the day of the month that is most convenient for you to pay your Ameren energy bill.
- Energy-Efficiency Rebates – A variety of resources and rebates for energy saving products are available to help reduce energy usage. Visit AmerenMissouriSavings.com for details.
About Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org
Cooldownstlouis.org is a bi-state nonprofit dedicated to providing education and resources to help the most vulnerable citizens, especially seniors, low-income families and the physically disabled. The organization works with more than 34 agencies to make sure utility bills are paid and the community’s most vulnerable citizens have access to the energy-efficient air conditioners they need to stay safe.
About Ameren Missouri
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri’s mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.