Ameren Missouri donates 900 air conditioners to Cooldownstlouis.org

Customers are encouraged to register for Ameren Missouri programs designed to keep vulnerable neighbors safe and cool during the summer heat

St. LOUIS (June 24, 2025) – In preparation for the hot summer weeks ahead, Ameren Missouri donated 900 ENERGY STAR certified window air conditioners to Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org to support the most vulnerable customers in St. Louis and communities throughout Missouri. One hundred of these air conditioners will be designated for customers from heavily impacted areas related to severe weather that occurred throughout Ameren Missouri’s service territory in 2025.
“We understand the recent severe weather had a devastating impact on our community, so we’re continuing to offer additional assistance in a variety of ways to help keep our neighbors cool and safe this summer,” said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. “Thanks to this impactful partnership, our most vulnerable customers will have greater access to air conditioners ahead of the dangerous summer heat.”

This year’s air conditioner donation marks the 25th anniversary of Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org’s “Save our Seniors” (S.O.S) Cooling Summer Project. It is Ameren Missouri’s 20th year of participation in the program. Since then, Ameren Missouri and its efforts have helped deliver nearly 20,000 donated energy-efficient window air conditioner units.

“The charity is grateful to Ameren Missouri for setting aside additional new energy efficient air conditioners after the recent tornadoes proved to be simply devastating, leaving many of our resident shaken to the core and horrified,” said Missouri State Senator Karla May, and co-chair of compliance for Cooldownstlouis.org. “There have been 91 tornadoes across Missouri since the beginning of 2025, and each have been impactful in terms of property damage. For numerous homes that have safe electrical connections, Cool Down St. Louis will be working with several of its social service partners to also qualify area residents. The priority is for seniors, the physical disabled and low-income households with small children who have serious medical conditions.”

Today, many volunteers prepared the donated units for statewide distribution to qualified Ameren Missouri customers.

“Ameren Missouri and Cool Down have successfully collaborated over the years to make sure the summer months in a notoriously hot and humid region have less heat-related illnesses or fatalities,” said St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer. “This collaboration with the support of the Urban League, Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul, CAASTLC, Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis and so many more social service partners throughout Missouri are making a life-or-death difference.”

“We are encouraging additional resources from the public,” continued Senator May. “We appreciate Ameren Missouri’s generosity and now are asking the business community and individuals who want to adopt a family or a senior for an air conditioner to contact us. An area resident will only be considered if they have absolutely no working unit, and we now have a waiting list. Please go to Cooldownstlouis.org and fill out an application, using a mobile device. This is on a first-come, first-serve basis.”

This long-standing partnership aims to keep people and families cool and safe during the hot summer months.

“The St. Louis Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis and the City of St. Louis Fire Department have been partners with Cooldownstlouis.org since day one – 25 years ago,” said Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, chair of the charity’s safety committee. “I know for a fact that the bi-state charity saves lives as we continue to see the dangerous effects of being without an air conditioner while visiting hundreds of homes over the years. It is shocking, especially for our most vulnerable who struggle with paying their utility bills, groceries and buying medication. It is critically important to note that only seniors, physically disabled and families with small children who have medical conditions, in that priority, will be considered if they do not already have one.”

On average, energy-efficient air conditioners cost less than a dollar a day to operate. The few dollars it takes to run an air conditioner doesn’t compare to the value of protecting health and being safe.

“Turn on the air without worrying about your utility bills. Ameren Missouri and Cool Down are working together with other partners to assure their customer programs can help with the challenges of increasing utility bills while the air conditioners are running,” said Reverend Earl E. Nance Jr., treasurer and chair emeritus. “By working with Ameren Missouri, and our regional partners, we can save lives and make sure the people who need an air conditioner qualify for one and use it safely. In our 25 years of working throughout the community, we have impacted the lives of more than 1.8 million people. We ask that you give us and our partners some grace so that we can all work together to defeat the deadly heat and keep our area residents cool and alive. Ameren Missouri is a great partner who does the right things to ensure its customers are safe.”

Partner agencies, like the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc., will help distribute air conditioners to individuals across Ameren Missouri’s service area.

“In speaking for all of its partnerships, the Urban League depends on the generosity and resourcefulness of organizations like Ameren Missouri, Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org,” said Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League, and an executive board member for the charity. “We have also been with them since day one. The government cannot do it alone, so funds and resources for this charity give us the extra lift necessary to keep our region cool and safe. We are stronger because of the determination and volunteer spirit of the Cool Down effectiveness. I am proud to be an executive board member of one of the leading advocacy, education and utility charities in the nation. Their efforts have been lauded by presidents, senators, governors and other similar organizations to our own.”

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 more information. 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.

Older adults and people with disabilities may also apply for energy assistance funds by visiting Cooldownstlouis.org or Cooldownmissouri.org, or by calling 314.241.0001 or 314.834.0034, the hotlines for seniors and people with disabilities. 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 find an agency and learn about all program options, including:

• org/AmerenAssistance – Clients are eligible for upwards of $600. Call 314.241.0001 for more information.
• Veterans Assistance – Active-duty military and veterans can receive up to $600 to help pay a past due utility bill. Call 211 for details.
• Dollar More – Eligible customers can receive up to $600.
• LIHEAP Summer Crisis Assistance – Eligible customers can receive up to $300.
• Flexible payment arrangements and payment agreements can also be made with Ameren Missouri.

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 38 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 1.3 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers approximately 60 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.