Blunt’s Show-Me Solutions Helps St. Louis Residents Beat the Heat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Blunt’s Show-Me Solutions Helps St. Louis Residents Beat the Heat

ST. LOUIS – Gov. Matt Blunt today highlighted his Show-Me Solutions Initiative by encouraging volunteers who are checking on their neighbors and providing cooling assistance for the elderly and other vulnerable citizens in the St. Louis area. Gov. Blunt helped deliver an air conditioner to a needy household in North St. Louis and saw first hand how the volunteers of Cool Down St. Louis are going door-to-door as part of their “Check on your Neighbor” outreach program.

“Cool Down St. Louis has demonstrated an endless level of energy and compassion to assist our most vulnerable citizens,” Gov. Blunt said. “With the assistance of many volunteers they are helping to ensure that area seniors, the disabled and needy families with small children do not suffer from heat-related deaths and illnesses during these blistering summer heat waves in the St. Louis region. The generosity of Missourians is boundless, and it is exciting to see firsthand how Missourians are going out of their way to help those in need.”

“We are honored that Governor Matt Blunt’s impressive Missouri project recognizes good charitable efforts and volunteerism, like ours. Cool Down St. Louis attempts to be that effervescent spirit of public awareness, including engaging others in charitable giving,” said Kevin McGowan, Cool Down St. Louis Board President.

Cool Down St. Louis is a regional energy assistance charity providing electric bill assistance and donated air-conditioners for the area elderly, disabled and needy households with small children as part of his Show-Me Solutions Initiative.

So far this summer, Cool Down St. Louis has received more than 400 new and used donated air-conditioners and will have dispensed about $25,000 in energy assistance grants to help restore electricity. For more information about Cool Down St. Louis visit www.cooldownstlouis.org/.

The governor’s Show-Me Solutions initiative is designed to increase awareness about the countless organizations throughout the state that provide assistance to meet community and individual needs. For information about the governor’s initiative, visit www.showmesolutions.mo.gov.