Heat-Up St. Louis, an independent, regional education and energy assistance charity encourages area electric customers to help it give a “Gift of Warmth” to area needy households, who can’t afford to pay their Ameren/UE electric and natural gas home heating bills in Illinois or the electric bills in Missouri. Heat-Up St. Louis, an all-volunteer charity covering 17 Missouri and Illinois Counties, including the City of St. Louis announced that it has more than 150 low-income families, currently being processed, who could really use these gift certificates to help reduce their winter/fall bills. Last month, Heat-Up St. Louis distributed more than $75,000 in utility assistance.

Heat-Up St. Louis officials also remind the public that wintertime has the highest incidents of home and apartment fires, because many low-income families may attempt to use unsafe methods of heating their homes. Charity officials have previously witnessed the use of natural gas customers using all space-heaters, as primary heating sources around draperies, and carpet, and bar-B-Q pits as furnaces in the living and bedrooms.

“It’s truly tough times throughout the St. Louis region — with the hike in home heating, and gasoline to get to work or the doctor’s office,” said Kevin X. McGowan, board president of Heat-Up St. Louis. “This holiday season is a great time to remember that there are thousands of families, seniors and this disabled without heat and are facing medical and safety issues.”

Heat-Up Officials said that once the gift certificates are purchased from Ameren/UE, they can merely mail them to Heat-up St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188. The certificates are made payable to Ameren/UE, but can be transferred over to a qualified low-income household to reconnect their utilities or stop them from being disconnected. The charity will provide a tax-deductible receipt to anyone who sends it gift certificates for utility assistance.

“The more creative ways we all can think to help keep needy households safe and warm this winter, the better it is for all of us, “ said the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus of Heat-Up St. Louis “People are literally making choices between heating and eating, and there has to be better alternatives.”

Heat-up St. Louis is also taking credit-card, tax-deductible donations this year through its secured website; at www.heatupstlouis.org Anyone needing energy assistance should also call the Heat-Up resource hotline at 314-241-7668 and learn where to apply for heating assistance in their area.

Currently, Heat-Up officials noted that many households may have been parked on the side waiting for additional dollars by some area CAP and social service agencies, because their funding ceilings meant a potential wait upwards to 30 days without a home heating source.

The new Heat-Up matching program is targeted to those agencies where households have already been qualified and disconnected, and need upwards to a $600 one-time-only supplemental heating grant in the City of St. Louis, and $300 elsewhere within the St. Louis region.

Heat-Up took note that several CAP actions, which it doesn’t have agreements with, will be eligible, as long as they contact Heat-Up St. Louis at 314-241-7668, and present proper qualification documentation.

In addition, Heat-Up St. Louis officials encourage all heads of households to take full advantage of the Cold Weather Rule which provides certain protection, and gives the household a chance to negotiate any outstanding balance, after an energy assistance payment has occurred.

Sources of Heat-Up funding will come from special grants, and public donations: Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188, or www.heatupstlouis.org or 314-241-7668. 100% of all public donations go towards servicing the needy.

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.

In addition, all weekend proceeds from the sale of Hardee’s soft drinks at their stadium concessions will also be donated to the charity, a great way for Red Bird fans to stay cool and help the needy at the same time. This summer, Cardinals fans and the general public will also be able to drop off donations at a new CITI’s Cool Down Hospitality mini-tent located near Gate 2 at Busch. Cards player Scott Speizio is this year’s honorary chair. 100% of all Cool Down St. Louis donations service the needy, as operational expenses are underwritten by the board.

About 100 Volunteers will be wearing yellow caps, donated by CITI, with Cool Down St. Louis logo printed on front, and they will collect the donations in yellow or red buckets, two hours before each game. Cool Down St. Louis volunteers, including media, civic leaders, firefighters and some of its networking social service and community action agencies, will be stationed at all six (6) Busch Stadium gates, around the ballpark, including garages and Metro station exits.

“As the weather heat-ups, Missouri and Illinois residents need to check on their neighbors,” said Kevin McGowan, newly elected president of the board of directors for Cool Down St. Louis. “Hot weather can literally zap the life right out of many elderly and disabled people, and small critically-ill infants, so we shouldn’t let our guard down and think that no one needs help on their electric bills or with getting an air-conditioner.”

Several weeks ago, Cool Down St. Louis distributed it last brand-new and used air-conditioners. In addition, $10,000 in donations have already been distributed to its social service partners to help seniors and the disabled with their summer electricity bills.

Tax-deductible donations may also be sent to: Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188, or credit cards can be used through the charity’s secured website at www.cooldownstlouis.org. Also the general public can drop by any donation to any cashier at a UMB Bank Center in Missouri or Illinois. People wanting to donate new and used-working air conditioners, may do so my calling 314-241-7668.

Contact: Nathan Shore
314-444-2781
nathan.shore@macys.com

MACY’S KICKS OFF NIGHT OF FASHION BY HOSTING AN INC INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS PARTY TO BENEFIT HEAT UP ST. LOUIS

Alive Magazine’s GLOW Spring Fashion Show to immediately follow at the Orpheum Theatre

WHO/WHAT:
Macy’s and INC International Concepts are hosting an INC Preview Party to benefit Heat Up St. Louis. The event will feature informal modeling introducing the spring INC collection, new to Downtown Macy’s. Guests can enjoy hors d’oeurves from Mosaic, fashion advice from the INC fashion expert, music from DJ Andrew, a special guest appearance by Kelly Stables, drinks from Budweiser Select and much more. Macy’s is making a $5 donation to Heat Up St. Louis for each attendee.

The INC Preview Party is free to the public. RSVP to 314.444.2665.

The INC Preview Party serves as the pre-party to Alive Magazine’s GLOW Spring Fashion Show featuring designers from Macy’s.

WHEN/WHERE:
INC Preview Party
Thursday, March 15, 2007
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Downtown Macy’s

Alive Magazine’s GLOW Spring Fashion Show (Featuring designers from Macy’s)
Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Orpheum Theatre
Tickets available through Ticketmaster.com, visiting any Macy’s Ticketmaster location or www.alivemag.com/glow, pricing at $25 and $50

BACKGROUND:
INC International Concepts offers on-trend, stylish apparel for women and men. The ready-to-wear collection was launched in 1993 and features cutting edge, off-the-runway trends designed for fashion-conscious women. INC is available at the Downtown Macy’s for the first time this spring season.

Kelly Stables is a St. Louis native and rising star in Hollywood on screen (starring opposite Naomi Watts in The Ring and The Ring II and on stage (recently hailed by Variety as a “feisty pepper-pot” for her lead role in the world-premiere revival of Gerschwin’s “Tip Toes” at L.A.’s Whitefire Theatre).

Heat Up St. Louis is a St. Louis based organization, which acts as a regional safety net when funding from the government and utility-charity programs fall short. Heat-Up St. Louis operates Cool Down St. Louis its summer program and Help-Up USA for markets outside of the greater St. Louis market.  All monies collected in a particular community stay there, except if a donor directs elsewhere.

About Macy’s
Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Federated Department Stores, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Offering distinctive assortments including exclusive fashion and home brands, Macy’s stores are operated by seven regionally based retail divisions – Macy’s East, Macy’s Florida, Macy’s Midwest, Macy’s North, Macy’s Northwest, Macy’s South, and Macy’s West – and an online store at macys.com.

Macy’s Midwest is based in St. Louis and operates 93 stores in nine states. For additional media materials, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.

A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the St. Louis-based organization Heat Up St. Louis, which acts as a regional safety net when funding from the government and utility-charity programs fall short. Heat-Up St. Louis operates Cool Down St. Louis its summer program and Help-Up USA for markets outside of the greater St. Louis market.  All monies collected in a particular community stay there, except if a donor directs elsewhere.

The show will open with a special guest appearance by ALIVE’s March cover girl and St. Louis native Kelly Stables, a rising star in Hollywood on screen (starring opposite Naomi Watts in The Ring and The Ring II) and on stage (recently hailed by Variety as a “feisty pepper-pot” for her lead role in the world-premiere revival of Gerschwin’s “Tip Toes” at L.A.’s Whitefire Theatre).

“We couldn’t be more excited about this collaboration between St. Louis’ top brands and top creative talent. Budweiser Select is hot, current and on trend – their fashion-forward image is a perfect fit for the runway. The Spring ’07 fashions from Macy’s and swimwear from Lori Coulter are exceptional, the performances are innovative—GLOW promises to be literally electrifying,” said Attilio D’Agostino, Editor In Chief of ALIVE Magazine.

Inspired by the overwhelming demand for a spring show following the unprecedented success of their poolside fall spectacular, “Liquid Style,” ALIVE is collaborating with top local artists, dancers, musicians and design houses to bring a whole new experience to our fashion savvy, influential market. “GLOW”, will take place on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at The Orpheum Theatre at 7pm.

Appropriately titled, “GLOW”, guests will see a highly theatrical choreographed show in which all elements from the stage, models, and actors to the Budweiser Select lounges will literally GLOW throughout the night. Expect everything from Budweiser Select’s custom-tailored ice bars featuring designer beer tails and a host of Anheuser Busch’s newest luxury innovations crafted exclusively for St. Louis’ most influential trendsetters.

Premiering on the runway in scenes one and two, guests will view the best in designer spring fashion from I.N.C., T. Tahari, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Calvin Klein Collection, Michael Kors, and Karen Kane along with more casual lines from: Lucky, Paper Denim & Cloth and Lauren Jeans. (All fashions mentioned are available at select Macy’s locations). Scene three features the chic and sexy designs of Lori Coulter TrueMeasure swimwear. Hometown fashionista Lori Coulter is St. Louis’ hottest new designer, gaining fans and recognition on the national scene. (Lori Coulter designs available, please call 314-727-9879 or visit www.loricoulter.com)

Surrounding the runway show, guests will enjoy the resplendence of 18th c. décor and costuming juxtaposed with modern lighting, music, entertainment, effects and fashion. Three scenes will come ALIVE: The Feeling, Fashion and Party all combined to deliver a visually stunning preview of Spring’s top trends on 24 beautiful male and female models recruited exclusively for GLOW by Centro Models.

The audience will experience eye-opening surprises, including a horse and carriage, period dancers, a live DJ and symphony quartet, plus lighting and stage elements designed by Contemporary Productions. Guests that purchase a VIP seat at $50 will receive select seating and a special “GLOW” gift bag.

“We have assembled all the key players in the St. Louis fashion industry, from Contemporary Productions to Cheresse Ink to Centro Models, to ensure this event is an enormous success,” stated D’Agostino.

Tickets for the Budweiser Select GLOW Fashion Show are available through Ticketmaster.com, visiting any Macy’s Ticketmaster locations or by logging on to www.alivemag.com/glow with pricing at $25 and $50.

Helping Area Seniors, The Disabled and Needy With Winter Heating Bills

Due to Cold Weather Hardee’s Keeps Up Canisters All Weekend Long!

The seventh annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat-Up St. Louis project, the largest annual fundraiser for the regional, not-for-profit, non-utility energy assistance charity raised more than $65,000 up from $50,000 from last winter. Due to the severe cold weather this year, Hardee’s is keeping up this weekend, it’s canister collection efforts only, in all of the stores for additional public donations.

Almost 55,000 made-from-scratch Hardee’s Sausage and Egg Biscuits were sold this Friday 6:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at St. Louis area Hardee’s restaurants in Missouri and Illinois with about $10,000 in small donations gathered by 350 volunteers. The charity services about 16 Missouri and Illinois counties, including the City of St. Louis. The consistent cold weather is hiking up utility bills, making them not affordable for many needy families. The Hardee’s in Crestwood received a sandwich order for 500 sausage and egg biscuits.

This year the majority of the electronic media participated road-block somewhere in the morning breakfast time frame. Hardee’s officials said that those locations mostly reported double increases from last winter.

“We are shocked beyond believe that the St. Louis region opened the hearts and pocket to help less fortunate neighbors, said Kevin McGowan, chair, McGowan/Walsh, and board president-elect of Heat-Up St. Louis. “These are tough times and we appreciate the generosity of the volunteers, media, Hardee’s, and it’s dedicated customer based.” Also leading area volunteers this year were, St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, honorary board chair, St. Louis Police Chief Joe Mokwa, Dr. James Knight, vascular surgeon, and co-chair of Heat-Up Health and Safety Committee, St. Louis Fire Chief Sherman George, and Melanie Dileo, vice president of Citigroup and board chairwoman of Heat-Up St. Louis will lead the area volunteers.

Heat-Up St. Louis, a regional safety-net project began six years ago, and has received more than $2 million in public and private donations and helped more than 80,000 people.

Larger donations still may be sent to: Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188, or the secured website at www.heatupstlouis.org.

100% of all donations go towards servicing the needs of the area needy households, as all expenses are underwritten by a 45-member, all volunteer board of directors. Special Heat-up grants range in price from $50 to $600 and are applied for through a network of more than 13 area social service and community action agencies.

Anyone requiring assistance must call the Heat-Up St. Louis automated hotline at 314-241-7668. A senior or disabled person on a poverty-level fixed income, and needy families with households at or below the poverty line, may potentially qualify for energy assistance. Many area needy residents can obtain a one-time heat grant when their primary heating source is threatened or already shut-off from November through May, each year.