2001 – HeatUpStLouis.org

HEAT-UP ST. LOUIS WITH ONLY $1,500 IN ITS BANK ACCOUNT ROLLS OUT WINTER ENERGY ASSISTANCE EFFORT WITH IT SHOULD NOT TAKE A BANK TO HEAT A HOME CAMPAIGN

beanstalk — Thu, 20 Dec 2001 16:51:54 +0000

Heat-Up St. Louis, a not-for-profit, 501 (c) (3) energy assistance charity established one year ago to warm thousands of cold homes of the bi-state area\’s elderly, disabled and low-income families is also attempting to help the area unemployed people impacted by the September 11 terrorists\’ acts and the local weakened economy.

The group which has only about $1,500 in the bank, today rolled out its 2002 winter campaign theme, \”It Should Not Take A Bank to Heat A Home,\” in the vault surrounded by real and phony bags of money at Truman Bank in Clayton. Joining Heat-Up St. Louis officials were St. Louis County Executive George \”Buzz\” Westfall; St. Louis Fire Commissioner and Chief Sherman George; St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green and several Missouri and Illinois social service and community action agency representatives who use Heat-Up St. Louis donations to supplement heating grants for the needy in the restoration of natural gas, electric, propane and home heating oil services.

The not-for-profit organization is predicting a heavy onslaught of requests of those local unemployed residents in the St. Louis metropolitan area who have been impacted by the September 11 terrorists\’ attacks. Heat-Up St. Louis officials also encouraged those natural gas customers living on the Missouri side of the St. Louis region to take full advantage of the special emergency cold weather rule which provides an opportunity to spread the payment of a delinquent gas bill over a 18-month period with either an initial $250 payment or 25%, whichever is lesser, through March 2002.

In addition, the not-for-profit charity encourages all Illinois and Missouri residents to take full advantage of a budget plan currently being offered by their local utilities. \”People who can afford to pay their utility bills have an obligation to do so,\” said Gentry W. Trotter, founder and president of Heat-Up St. Louis.

\”Last year, natural gas cost was at an all time high and people are still paying on those past due heating bills,\” said St. Louis County executive George \”Buzz\” Westfall. \”Even though it is being predicted that we will have a mild winter and natural gas prices have stabilized, it is still going to be a difficult winter for many of our St. Louis County residents who are on a fixed-income, or who unfortunately have been laid-off due to the current recession.\”

The Urban League of St. Louis County and S.T.E.P., Inc., were among the ten area social service and community action agencies which use Heat-Up St. Louis funds to fill in or make-up the difference between federal, state, and other funding sources to restore a home heating source.

\”While we are fortunate to have more than one funding source for utility assistance, all monies that we receive come with a variety of eligibility guidelines and limitations and there are times that people may fall through the cracks,\” stated Denise Liebel, county operations director of Northeast Missouri Action Corporation in St. Charles County. \”Heat-Up St. Louis has given us another resource to fill gaps in service for those that might otherwise go without utilities. Heat-Up/Cool Down campaigns have made a tremendous difference with the low-income families, elderly and disabled of our community, when no other assistance was available to them.\”

\”A large number of unemployed people will literally be standing in line between those disabled and elderly people on fixed incomes,\” said Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., Campaign Chairperson.

Reverend Nance also announced that the organization so far has helped about 5,000 people with energy assistance this year. In addition, Heat-Up St. Louis\’ telephone referral service directed more than 6,000 calls for assistance from people in Illinois and Missouri seeking heating and cooling assistance during this year to other social service and community action agencies.

This year, the not-for-profit group also stresses the importance of health and safety for those attempting to use alternative heating methods. \”I cannot imagine what it is like being cold in a home during the winter,\” said St. Louis City Fire commissioner and chief Sherman George. \”However, I can imagine what happens when people attempt to use unsafe methods as alternative heating. This often causes extensive fire damage, and personal injuries including deaths to the person and their neighbors.\”

Gentry W. Trotter, founder and president of Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., and a former public relations executive for a local gas utility provider announced that J. Kim Tucci, president of the Pasta House Company and Barbara A. Pacifico, executive vice president of CKE Restaurants, Inc., the parent corporation of Hardee\’s Food Systems, Inc., will be elected to the board of directors in January 2002. Tucci will serve as chairman of the board, and Barbara A. Pacifico will serve as vice president of the board, replacing public relations executive Tim Gorline. Gorline will remain on the board and the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., will retain his current title of campaign chairperson.

Curt Swearingen, a certified public accountant and treasurer for Heat-Up St. Louis reported that the organization received donations during a 10-month period of about $130,000. The funds were distributed as heating and cooling allocations to the organization\’s networking social service and community action agencies in Missouri and Illinois. About sixty-five percent of the donations received were used for winter energy assistance. Next year\’s campaign goal is $100,000.

\”While we are excited beyond our wildest dreams that we were able to raise a significant amount of money from our first time out, we are in desperate need of funds,\”said Swearingen. \”The public can charge their tax-deductible donation through MasterCard and Visa by logging on our new website www.heatupstlouis.org.\” In addition, tax-deductible donations may be sent to Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o Truman Bank, P.O. Box 9330, St. Louis, MO 63117. All administrative costs are underwritten.

Heat-Up St. Louis also has a summer cooling relief program in an effort to avoid heat strokes and deaths through its Cool Down St. Louis program. The program initiated a \”Check Your Neighbor Project,\” with area radio stations, community and religious organizations to ensure that the elderly and disabled were checked in on for cooling assistance needs. Cool Down St. Louis was one of few providing cooling funds in some parts of the bi-state area.

\”For the first time in five years, we were able to pay electric bills and/or get small window air-conditioners to help several elderly and/or disabled clients as they struggled to remain cool in their homes,\” said Loretta Kelly, director of Jefferson County Catholic Community Services. \”We are extremely grateful there were funds available for both heat last winter and cooling this past summer.\”

Realizing that the City of St. Louis\’ local economy has been impacted by the September 11 terrorists\’ attacks, St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green announced that she was given a $250, tax-deductible donation to Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc. Green also is hoping that her 75-member Comptroller staff considers giving to this effort, as their donations will be designated to city residents.

\”We realize that Heat-Up St. Louis is a regional agency and the largest percentage of donations are distributed to helping our neighbors in the City of St. Louis,\” said Darlene Green. \”It certainly should not take a bank to heat a home, and I challenge all elected officials, city and county departments within the region to match my donation.\”

\”We are fortunate to have a stop-gap agency like Heat-Up St. Louis in the region as many of the people who qualify for energy assistance may not always get the needed funds to keep their energy sources on,\” said Joe Hubbard, executive director of Catholic Urban Programs of Southern Illinois. \”We were able to help hundreds of people with the funds from Heat-Up and Cool Down St. Louis.\”

The organization announced that it will be working with Schnucks supermarkets in Missouri and Illinois next month on a Scan and Give for Heat 2002 program. Customers will have an opportunity to scan a $1 or $3 donation onto their grocery bill at the check out registers. In addition, Hardee\’s restaurants have agreed to donate their entire gross sales receipts from the sale of their Sausage and Egg Biscuit sandwiches during the annual Rise and Shine for Heat fundraiser schedule in the early part of February 2002.

Heat-Up St. Louis, a non-utility charity has a grass-roots approach to energy assistance, from engaging the general public with special fundraising events to creating awareness programs regarding unsafe and unhealthy living conditions the needy face when they are not able to heat or cool their homes to opposing utility increases.

\”People want to do more and give more to help their neighbors by going beyond checking-off an item on their local utility bills,\” said Gentry W. Trotter, president and founder. \”We want to engage the public, including protecting the rights of the needy against unreasonable utility rate hikes.\”

The organization also announced its plans to renew its Super Heat Weekend Special Religious Collection during Super Bowl Weekend scheduled for January 26, and 27 in January. Also the Pasta House Company will later announce its plans for a month long fundraiser for later in the winter with a Buy a Flame, Heat a Home program. And a special corporate drive is scheduled for next year. The organization also announced that it is working with the Wehrenberg Theater chain for a public awareness and fundraising project.

\”Without this additional assistance, families would be forced to find other living arrangements, overcrowding our community shelters, residing in combined households, or worst, trying to stay in their homes heating with unsafe or dangerous alternatives,\”said Bill Bunch, executive director of the East Missouri Action Agency. This agency covers St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Iron and Madison counties.

The social service and community action agencies receiving supplementary heat grants throughout the course of the winter are: Northeast Community Action Corporation in St. Charles County; Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc., in St. Louis City and County, and St. Clair County in Illinois; S.T.E.P., Inc., in St. Louis County; Catholic Urban Programs of Southern Illinois; Loving Hearts in Washington County; Jefferson County Catholic Community Services; East Missouri Action Agency in St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Iron and Madison Counties; Urban League of Madison County in Illinois; and South Central Missouri Economic Opportunity Corporation in Butler County, etc.

The funds that S.T.E.P., Inc., have received from Heat-Up/Cool Down St. Louis has significantly bridged the gap between the utility companies and the residents of St. Louis County,\” said Merline Anderson, Executive Director of S.T.E.P., Inc. \”They are making a world of difference in the lives of the families of St. Louis County.\”

\”The clients we serve at the Urban League throughout the metropolitan area depend on us for utility assistance,\” said Doris Jones, vice president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. \”We are grateful that Heat-Up St. Louis is our partner in assisting families.\”

And while the energy assistance agency organization is targeting special events fundraising, tax-deductible donations maybe made directly to: Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o Truman Bank, P.O. Box 9330, St. Louis, MO 63117. Truman Bank is donating all of its banking services. The general public can also give through their MasterCard and Visa by calling 314-241-7668 or by logging in on the Heat-Up St. Louis new web-site at www.heatupstlouis.org.

Trotter said that the diverse board of Heat-Up St. Louis reflects the Christian-Judeo belief of the needy never being forgotten as neighbors must reach out to help other neighbors.

\”Last year, the elderly and needy families with children had to battle with the choice of eating and heating due to outrageous high energy costs,\” said Trotter. \”This year a weakened economy, due in part to the terrorists\’ attacks, is going to challenge the needy, and there will be the additional unemployed people who will be looking for assistance. We therefore must refocus our attention on our neighbors and to help avoid dangerous and unhealthy living conditions.\”

Heat-Up St. Louis officials again acknowledged the media for their objective coverage of heating and cooling issues in around the St. Louis region, as well as public service support of its organization.

Curt Swearingen and Reverend Earl. E. Nance, Jr., both thanked Lightstream Studio, Barlow Productions and Nova Business Systems, Inc. for their website support. Lightstream donated about $5,000 in design work, and Nova Business Systems, donated a $10,000 internet application. Barlow productions provides donated photography service of all of the Heat-Up St. Louis media events. All three firms are the official sponsors of the www.heatupstlouis.org website.
Heat-Up St. Louis is run by a diverse, all-volunteer board of directors who, along with corporate sponsors, help underwrite all the administrative costs involved in operating the charity, so that every dollar collected is used for heating or cooling grants.

Heat-Up St. Louis reminds those in need of energy assistance to call the following numbers covering the following Illinois and Missouri Counties:

St. Louis City	314-652-6954	Urban League of St. Louis
St. Louis County	314-863-0015	S.T.E.P., Inc.
s	314-388-9840	Urban League of St. Louis
St. Charles County	636-723-3470	Northeast Community Action
Jefferson County	636-931-5859	Catholic Community Services
Franklin County	636-390-8300	Loving Hearts
Butler County	573-325-4255	SCMEOC
Ste. Genevieve, Iron, Madison	573-431-5191	East Missouri Action Agency
Illinois Counties	618-274-1150	Urban League of St. Clair
sss	618-398-5616	Catholic Urban Programs of S.I.
s	618-463-1906	Urban League of Madison Co.

Announcement of Reduction of Gas Bills for St. Louis Area Is A Sham and Not Enough For Low-Income, Elderly, Disabled and Laid-off Workers . . . More Relief is Needed

beanstalk — Sat, 03 Nov 2001 16:49:59 +0000

The Laclede Gas Company\’s announcement that the average gas bill will be reduced by about $54.00 is good news for now, but they are also basing that reduction on a mild winter and the reduction does not take in other variables. A prediction of 35% reduction is not enough considering Laclede made more than $30 million in profit this past winter. Since the September 11 terrorists attacks, America and the St. Louis area are still reeling from the negative economic impacts, including lay-offs. Laclede Gas is using part of this announcement as a sham to have the media overlook the thousands of people who have been shut-off from last winter, and hundreds who are facing shut-offs.

Laclede and other energy companies owe it to the public to further reduce the gas bills by at least another 20 percent. Heat-Up St. Louis, a non-profit energy assistance program, covering Missouri and Illinois counties, is also asking that Laclede Gas give past due customers an opportunity to pay a small percentage on their delinquent bills, and be able to spread the remaining balance over a 18-month period. If not the area might face life and death situations, because people will stay have to make choices between perscription drugs, eating and heating.

\”America is facing a recession, and unemployment is climbing each day, especially for those in the service sector — traveling, hotel and hospitality industries, \”said Gentry W. Trotter, president of Heat-Up St. Louis. \”Laclede needs to give more of it profits back to help the typical household, as well as those who are being laid-off in the St. Louis region. Gas it still not affordable for the needy.\”

Low-income families, and the middle working class need more relief this winter. In addition, thousands of area households are facing shut-off notices. We encourage the Missouri Public Service Commission to extend the Cold Weather Rule from October until May, instead of November through March. This gives the customer time to play catch-up between gas and electric bills.

In addition, Heat-Up St. Louis is opposing a $39 million gas rate hike which would increase the customer\’s average gas bill to about $4.90. Next weekend the group is hoping to begin its petition drive against the rate increase. Those interested in serving as volunteers can do so, by calling 314-241-7668.

Heat-Up St. Louis is a nonprofit energy assistance program covering the Bi-State area, and tax-deductible donations may be made by sending checks payable to: Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o Truman Bank, P.O. Box 9330, St. Louis, MO 63117.

Heat-Up St. Louis Executive Board Votes Unanimously to Oppose The Laclede Gas Company Proposed $39 million Rate Hike

beanstalk — Wed, 31 Oct 2001 16:47:40 +0000

St. Louis – Missouri: Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., a nonprofit energy assistance program, established to help low-income and elderly people in the St. Louis region, voted unanimously to oppose Laclede Gas Company’s proposed non-gas $39 million rate hike. The rate hike would add an average of $4.90 per month to the typical residential customer’s bill.

The executive board of Heat-Up St. Louis voted unanimously to oppose the rate hike in a special meeting on Friday, October 26 after listening to several Heat-Up St. Louis officials explain various elements of the proposed rate hike.

“At a time when everyone is pitching in to helping America prevail, we do not think it is unreasonable to also ask Laclede Gas to extend themselves to help the needy, working poor, and laid-off workers,”said Curt Swearingen, corporate treasurer of Heat-Up St. Louis.

Heat-Up St. Louis also needs volunteers to help with petition drives and letter writing campaigns to the Missouri Public Service Commission in Jefferson City, by calling 314-241-7668. Tax-deductible contributions may be made to Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o Truman Bank, P.O. Box 9330, St. Louis, MO 63117. Every dollar donated goes to help the needy, as all administrative costs are underwritten by an all-volunteer board of directors.

The Laclede Gas service area includes the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the counties of St. Charles, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Ste.Genevieve, St. Francois, Iron and Butler. The petition and letter writing campaign drive will take place during the month of November, prior to the official hearings in December in Jefferson City.

“At the current time Laclede has profits and cash in the bank,” said Curt Swearingen, corporate treasurer of Heat-Up St. Louis. “This proposal also comes at a time when gas prices are forecasted to decrease and there is a potential for a surplus.”

Swearingen, a certified public accountant and financial advisor, based his recommendations on the Laclede Gas Company’s Direct Testimony and Supporting Schedules as presented to the Missouri Public Service Commission.

“Revenues of Laclede Gas rose 88% to $910.7 million for the nine months ending, June 30, 2001,” said Swearingen. “Their profit applicable to common stock rose 21% to $35.5 million.”

“Our concern is that this rate hike for non-gas concerns will be at the expense of the elderly and low-income people, who are still reeling over the outrageous natural gas hike from thispast winter,” said Gentry W. Trotter, president of the board. “Utilities like Laclede Gas have to balance their social responsibility with the demands from their stockholders.”

Trotter attended both Missouri Public Service Commission hearings earlier this month, and listened to senior citizens and other Laclede Gas Company customers complain.

“It was clear based on testimony from those who could attend and participate in a one-way discussion that the elderly with fixed incomes and health related issues need more economic relief,” said Trotter. “Also since the September 11 terrorist acts, many in the service sector, which includes the working poor will be hit the hardest, despite Laclede’s announcement that natural gas prices will be cheaper this winter.”

Trotter predicts if the war against terrorism deepens, it will have a devastating impact on all sectors in the job market. In addition, there is a chance of gas, oil and propane prices increasing this winter based on a major international and national crises, including an unanticipated cold winter.

In addition to voting against the Laclede Gas rate hike, several Heat-Up St. Louis officials would like to see the Cold Weather Rule expanded from October to May each year. “These extra three months will be helpful to the needy, as they are often battling summer utility costs,” said Trotter, “This also might be positive for the utility companies.”

“One of the best solutions to summer and winter shut-off problems long term may be the establishment of a special discount utility rate for the low-income, disabled, and elderly people,” said Trotter. “If energy to heat or cool one’s home is affordable, we might have fewer shut-off notices.”

“Our mission is to raise awareness and funds for the needy, and Laclede Gas needs to take some of that $30 million or more profit from last year, and give it back to the needy and not the greedy,” said Trotter.

The Emergency Rule by the Missouri Public Service Commission Helps Area Needy From Freezing to Death this Winter

beanstalk — Tue, 02 Oct 2001 16:46:41 +0000

Heat-Up St. Louis, a nonprofit energy assistance program, supports crucial parts of the Missouri Public Service Commission\’s Emergency Amendment to the Cold Weather Rule. Under the new Emergency Rule the residential customer can pay $250.00, or 25% of their past due gas bills, or whichever is less. The Emergency Amendment goes into effect on November 18 and continues through March 31 of next year. Heat-Up St. Louis petitioned the Commission who in turn responded with the Emergency Amendment.

\”The PSC realizes that being without a home heating source, in this instance, natural gas, is a public health, safety and welfare issue,\” said Gentry W. Trotter, president of Heat-Up St. Louis, and a former 20 year consultant for a local gas utility. \”This gives the working poor, disabled and seniors a chance to strengthen their basic food, heating, shelter and health budgets. Having 18 months to pay an expensive left-over gas bill (from last winter) will be a blessing for almost 50,000 Missourians.\”

The PSC emergency rule provides a more lenient payment term for reconnection for residential customers, and prohibits assessment of late payment charges on deferred amounts, and prohibits interested charges as well.

Heat-Up St. Louis also encourages the recent laid-off workers in the service sector, who have suffered due to terrorist actions on September 11, to take full advantage of the regular budget plans offered by local gas utilities. \”This gives those in desperate need a chance to spread their current and upcoming winter gas bills over 12-months, and to take advantage of the 18-month equal payment plan for those huge last year past due gas bills.\”

However, Heat-Up St. Louis does not think that the area gas utilities should be allowed to recoup expenses related to implementing this PSC emergency amendment. \”These utility companies are making lots of dough,\” said Trotter. \”They have a humanitarian responsibility not to eventually pass on these costs with a new proposed rate hike increase in the foreseeable future.\”

Trotter also believes that the utility firms need to remove the caps they have placed on their local utility charities, and provide more actual cash dollars for the upcoming winter. \”Despite the prediction that natural gas will fall partly due to a mid winter, it is being estimated nationally that more than 5 million people will need energy assistance this year,\” said Trotter. \”Missouri has suffered greatly with high unemployment due to the weakened economy, and energy assistance groups will be facing regular disabled and the elderly on fixed incomes, who are making choices between their medication, eating, and heating, and now comes the new unemployed. We are in for a rocky winter.\”

Under the current Cold Weather Rule the customer must 1) contact the utility and inform them of their inability to bill their gas bill in full, 2) apply for energy assistance at their local community service or social service agency, and 3) make a minimum payment, and enter into a payment agreement.

Cool Down St. Louis Holding Last Summer Fundraiser This Saturday, September 15, For College Students, Has Raised More Than $25,000 To Help The Elderly And Disabled With Cooling Assistance

beanstalk — Sat, 15 Sep 2001 16:39:48 +0000

Cool Down St. Louis, the cooling arm of the non-profit energy assistance program Heat-Up St. Louis, is sponsoring the Back to School Blow-Out Fall Charity Hat Sale, on Saturday, September 15, 2001 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at 318 North Euclid Avenue in the Central West End in St. Louis. There are more than 1,500 summer, fall and winter hats and caps of all styles to choose from, and they will be going for a donation $5 dollars per hat for area college students only.

This is the last fundraising event for the charity\’s summer program as they begin to turn their attention on their heating assistance program. Cool Down St. Louis will distribute every dollar raised to area social service and community action agencies in Missouri and Illinois. The charities will provide cooling grants to at-risk elderly and disabled residents in an effort to maintain or restore electricity, or purchase or repair air-conditioners.

Heat-Up St. Louis, which has raised more than $25,000 for its summer program efforts and has helped more than 400 people with cooling assistance, will be announcing the plans for its winter program for 2001-2002 in November. Direct donations can be made to Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o Truman Bank, P.O. Box 9330, St. Louis, MO 63117.

Back to School Blow-Out Fall Charity Hat Sale

beanstalk — Mon, 27 Aug 2001 16:35:35 +0000

Cool Down St. Louis, a cooling assistance program covering the Bi-State area, is holding a Back to School Blow-Out Fall Charity Hat Sale for St. Louis area college students on September 15, 2001, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 318 North Euclid in the Central West End.

The hats, which normally retail from $75 to $125, will be going for a donation of only $5 each. There are more than 2,000 brand new summer and winter hats and caps to choose from, from retro to western, from felt to straw, and everything in-between. Students are also invited to come to the Emergency Saturday Hat Festivals between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to receive a student discount.

\”Heat-Up St. Louis has raised more than $50,000 since it began the charity hat sales and festivals last December, with most donations averaging $25 per hat,\” said Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., campaign chairman for Cool Down St. Louis. \”And instead of waiting for a liquidator to take the many hats the Bee Hat Building donated us, we decided to give college students an opportunity to receive a great hat in exchange for a small donation, knowing that many of them are on a restricted budget.\” Reverend Nance said that the area college students are now part of the giving process.

The funds are distributed to social service and community action agencies in 15 counties in Missouri and Illinois that help the at-risk elderly and disabled with their electric bills, or help them with purchasing or repairing air conditioners. Cool Down St. Louis is an all-volunteer operation and underwritten by its board members and some corporate sponsors. Over $25,000 has been already doled out this summer.

Cool Down St. Louis is the cooling arm of Heat-Up St. Louis, a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) energy assistance charity that acts as the regional safety net. Since its inception in December 2000, the organization has raised more than $135,000 to assist at-risk elderly and disabled persons, and low-income families, in Missouri and Illinois with supplementary heating or cooling grants during a time of outrageously high electric, gas, and propane utility bills.

For more information, call the Cool Down St. Louis hotline at 314-241-7668.

Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., Elected to Board of Directors for Heat-Up St. Louis/Cool Down St. Louis and Named Chairman of Campaigns

beanstalk — Sat, 07 Jul 2001 16:28:10 +0000

The board of directors of Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization unanimously voted to elect the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition to a three-year term as a member of its board of directors.

The election was held at the annual board meeting on June 29, at Truman Bank. In addition, to the election of Reverend Nance to the board, he was named Chairman of Campaigns for 2001 through 2003. Developer Kevin McGowan, of the McGowan Brothers Development who has been instrumental in providing resources to the charity since its inception in December 2000 was also elected for a two-year term.

The board also elected as its new treasurer, certified public accountant Curt M. Swearingen, CPA/PFS. Swearingen is employed at the St. Louis west county accounting firm of Schroeder & Associates, P.C.

\”We are pleased to have the opportunity to build a stronger all-volunteers board to include a diverse group of individuals willing to help us in our mission to keep our less fortunate neighbors warm in the winter and cool in the summer,\” said president and founder Gentry W. Trotter. The board of directors also approved the request of the founder and president to take a more active role against some rate hikes and other heating and cool issues which negatively impact the quality of life of needy families in the St. Louis region.

\”If we are going to continue to ask for donations from the general public, we also have a Judeo-Christian responsibility of doing all that we can to protect the interests of the less fortunate and working poor,\” said Trotter. \”All too often some utility firms continue to get richer and fatter at the expense of those who are barely scrapping their resources together just to have life\’s essentials.\”

The organization works with ten social service and community action agencies in about 15 Missouri and Illinois counties. All administrative cost of the non-profit is underwritten mainly by board members, so that every dollar collected goes to helping needy families. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o Truman Bank, P. O. Box 9330, St. Louis, Missouri 63117.

Heat-Up St. Louis is in the midst of its cooling assistance program which will help purchase air-conditioners or pay electric bills for senior and disabled bi-state residents only. The organization will distribute funds to local social service and community action groups from its first summer cooling fundraiser on Monday, July 23 with the assistance of United States Senator Jean Carnahan of Missouri. Heat Up/Cool Down St. Louis will also provide updated financial disclosures.

Cool Down St. Louis Halts its Washington Avenue Emergency Hat Fundraisers Helping Missouri and Illinois Elderly and Disabled Stay Cool This Summer – Saturday, July 7 is Last Day –

beanstalk — Thu, 05 Jul 2001 16:26:48 +0000

Cool Down St. Louis has decided to halt its series of Emergency Summer Hat Festivals, after this Saturday, July 7, (10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.) at 1641 Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis due to a maze of detours and construction.

The board of directors of the cooling relief program voted to halt the efforts because in the past three weekends, it has been almost virtually impossible to gain a clear access to the McGowan Building, at 1641 Washington Avenue. Since the board\’s decision, the City of St. Louis is providing temporary access this Saturday, July 7 by way of 18th Street and St. Charles Street, east two blocks to the free CPI parking lot, and at St. Charles and 14th Street two blocks west to the free parking lot. Cool Down officials believe that after this Saturday and as the Washington Avenue construction phases move forward, access alternatives to this part of Washington Avenue will be almost impossible.

For the past eight weeks, Cool Down St. Louis has had volunteers serving as celebrity sales clerks, distributing a choice of brand-new hats and caps to the public in exchange for small donations. This Saturday, Cool Down St. Louis officials will have available brand-new, brand-name summer and winter women\’s and men\’s hats and caps, some valued at more than $100.00 in exchange for only a $10 or $20 donation.

\”The City of St. Louis has been very helpful and caring about our attempt to eliminate heat-related deaths and illnesses in the St. Louis region, unfortunately their Washington Avenue construction efforts have severely hampered our current fundraising efforts,\” said founder and president Gentry W. Trotter. \”We have received calls from individuals seeking assistance with $500 and $1,000 or more electric bills, and that\’s devastating, because many of the elderly and disabled just got over a miserable winter, being taken to the cleaners by some area utilities.\”

Trotter noted that in the last four weeks hat and cap donations have fallen by 50 to 70 percent. While the board of directors voted to halt the Washington Avenue event, the organization is seeking a liquidator, or a corporation to buy the hats at a discount for their company picnic, or seek another location outside of the downtown St. Louis.

Kevin McGowan, a Cool Down St. Louis board member donated the McGowan building at 1641 Washington Avenue, which included 5,000 square feet of space and electricity. \”This has been a neighborhood effort to keep us going here on Washington Avenue,\” said Trotter. \”Our neighbors,
including local policemen and even postal workers appreciate our efforts of helping others less fortunate. We will miss that spirit of cooperation and the feeling of accomplishment with those who came by and made donations.\”

On the lighter side, Trotter, who also served as the celebrity store manager, noted that men have been the most difficult customers, probably due to the fact that there have been thousands of hats and caps to select from. \”It\’s been a humbling experience for many of us businesspeople who volunteer, because the public can be demanding, even for a charitable event, and the male shoppers\’ cannot make those quick decisions, and some have often tried on bunches of hats before deciding on one or none — the whole experience has strengthened my patience and appreciation for the retail workers of America,\” Trotter concluded.

On Monday, July 23, the organization will be joined by United States Senator Jean Carnahan for a ceremony where they will distribute funds from their summer hat festival hats to at least eight Missouri and Illinois community action and social service agencies. The group was hoping to raise about $50,000 from its summer hat festivals. However, it will unveil the final summer hat fundraising amount on July 23. The organization also cites the media for its ongoing support of both Heat-Up St. Louis and Cool Down St. Louis

Tax-deductible donations also may be sent to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o Truman Bank, P.O. Box 9330, St. Louis, MO 63117.

Cool Down St. Louis Night At Busch Cool Down St. Louis and Heat Up the Cardinals

beanstalk — Fri, 25 May 2001 16:21:32 +0000

Cool Down St. Louis, the cooling arm of Heat-Up St. Louis, a new nonprofit organization will provide air-conditioners and utility assistance to Missouri and Illinois senior citizens and the disabled this summer. On Sunday, June 3, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., more than 60 volunteers will use large safari hats to collect cash donations at all eight gates at Busch Stadium.

The group is encouraging Cardinal baseball fans and others to drop off their donations to volunteers who will be wearing yellow T-shirts, \”Cool Down St. Louis and Heat Up the Cardinals\”, donated by Downtown Imprints.

Every dollar donated to Cool Down St. Louis goes to providing assistance to the needy, as Cool Down St. Louis is an all-volunteer organization and all administrative costs are underwritten by members of the board of directors. The Cool Down St. Louis Night at Busch will also include a field ceremony before the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds game.

Fred Bird will join Founder Gentry W. Trotter, Campaign Chairman the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., also president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, and representatives of ten social service and community action organizations, in promoting their summer-long Emergency Saturday Summer Hat Festivals at 1641 Washington Avenue.

Since its inception about four months ago, the Heat-Up/Cool Down organization has raised more than $100,000.00. Tax-deductible donations may also be sent to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o Truman Bank, P.O. Box 9330, St. Louis, MO 63117. For more information call 241-7668.

KTVI FOX2 Raised $10,000 for the Stay Cool, Be Cool Charity Hat Sale Helping Bi-State Area Senior and Disabled People Stay Cool This Summer

beanstalk — Tue, 15 May 2001 15:56:36 +0000

KTVI FOX 2\’s sponsorship of the first summer fundraiser for Cool Down St. Louis held several weekends ago, raised $10,000.00 to aid in the purchase of new air-conditioners and pay for high electric bills for some Missouri and Illinois senior and disabled residents beginning this June.
Even though the FOX 2 sponsorship of the Stay Cool, Be Cool Charity Hat Sale is over, the board of directors of Cool Down St. Louis has continued to sponsor each Saturday, (except for Memorial Day Weekend) an Emergency Summer Saturday Hat Festival.

The new nonprofit cooling organization also has accepted the endorsement of St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Darryl Kile and the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition. The pair will soon be seen in a series of public service television announcements promoting Cool Down St. Louis\’ Emergency Summer Saturday Hat Festivals, and requesting direct-tax deductible donations which can be made to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o Truman Bank, P.O. Box 9330, St. Louis, MO 63117.

So far the Heat-Up St. Louis organization and its Cool Down summer efforts have raised more than $100,000 and helped almost 3,000 people.