Despite one of the nation’s worst economies, where thousands of area working class residents are also trying to keep their homes, and also pay their own heating bills, they joined about 400 volunteers, (civic, business, political, media personalities, high school students, social service groups, and even a women’s professional roller derby group) in helping to raise so far more than $70,000, exceeding this year’s goal of $50,000 by $20,000 so far, during the 9th Annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat-Up St. Louis fundraiser.

Hardee’s Friday the 13th Valentine breakfast fundraiser gave 100% of its proceeds from the sell of its Sausage and Egg Biscuit product priced today only for $1.00, and volunteer canister collections to Heat-Up St. Louis, the regional, all-volunteer energy assistance charity helping to pay heating bills for hundreds of bi-state area poor, elderly and disabled people.

Hardee’s will continue taking canister collections through Sunday at more than 60 restaurants located in the Missouri and Illinois area. Larger on-line donations may still be made on-line at www.heatupstlouis.org or Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188. This year’s campaign of “Have A Heart, Heat A Home” also had St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley as its general campaign chair, Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, its campaign co-chair, and St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, the honorary board chair led a group of other state, and local political officials.

Heat-Up officials contribute this year’s promising efforts to the enthusiastic leadership and efforts of the St. Louis electronic and print media, also suffering from an economic downturn. All three major network television affiliates (KSDK, FOX, and CBS), along with Clear Channel, Radio One, Bonneville, Emmis, CBS Radio groups and KTRS all participated in a massive “media road-block” (live cut-ins, interviews, or call-ins) from various Hardee’s locations. KDNL, KPLR, Channel 46, Charter Cable, and Disney Radio also provided on-air promo support. The Suburban Journal also donated some promotional space.

“Without the efforts of the St. Louis media, we never would have exceeded our goal by $20,000, ($50,000) so far,” said Kevin X. McGowan, board president of Heat-Up St. Louis. “These are very tough times, and the public’s generosity came through remarkably well, and the poor should be very indebted, we are.”

St. Louis Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, State Senator Jeff Smith, Chairwoman Melanie Dileo, St. Louis Police Chief Dan Isom, St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, Kevin McGowan, board president, Hardee’s VP Steve Lemley and MSD Spokesperson Lance LeComb also served as official spokespersons at various Hardee’s locations.

Since its inception, Heat-Up St. Louis has impacted the lives of more than 125,000 people in about 16 Missouri and Illinois counties, including the City of St. Louis and has received donations totally about $3.5 million.

100% of all public donations go towards servicing the needy, as all operational costs are underwritten by a diverse board of directors.

On Sunday, November 23, before the St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears game, (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) about 140 area firefighters and Heat-Up St. Louis civilian volunteers will be stationed at all of the Edward Jones Dome gates, and at tailgate parties in the downtown areas collecting special donations from Rams fans. “The Rams, Boot Out Old Man Winter Heat-Up St. Louis,” is an annual fundraiser, where civilian volunteers sporting yellow caps with canisters donated by CITI, will be alongside firefighters with collection boots. This year the Rams Cheerleaders are serving as honorary chairwomen of the fundraiser.

Also about 40 employees from Hoffman Brothers Heating and AmerenUE have volunteered to join area civic and business leaders in helping Heat-Up St. Louis. Heat-Up St. Louis is a not-for-profit, non-utility, all-volunteer regional charity, providing education and energy assistance in about 17 Missouri and Illinois counties, including the City of St. Louis.

On the day of the special Rams collection, Heat-Up St. Louis is paying tribute to slain St. Louis firefighter Leonard Riggins, who had previously served alongside other firefighters, as a volunteer for the annual Rams Boot Out Old Man Winter fundraiser. The volunteers will wear black-arm bands donated by Leon Uniform Company of Brentwood in honor of Mr. Riggins and firefighters who have died in the line-of-duty.

“Firefighter Riggins not only demonstrated a spirit of heroism,” said Melanie Dileo, board chairwoman of Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc. “He gave so much of his time back to community efforts like ours, we want to show our deep appreciation.”

Heat-Up St. Louis officials said that winter time has the highest incidents of house and apartment fires. People often use unsafe methods of heating their homes, including use of various supplemental heating — space heaters — as primary heating sources.

This year, Heat-Up St. Louis officials are also encouraging sports fans, who will not attend the Rams game, and the general public in 17 Missouri and Illinois counties, including the City of St. Louis to make a tax-deductible secured donation at www.heatupstlouis.org, or drop by any bank teller, at any UMB Bank Center. Larger donations may be sent to Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188. For energy assistance information, call 314-241-7668.

100% of all public donations to Heat-Up St. Louis are used for servicing the needy, as the 48 member, all-volunteer board underwrites all operating expenses.

“This is our first public fundraiser for the winter and is really important for needy households that truly can’t afford to pay their high utility bills,” said Kevin McGowan, president of the board of directors for Heat-Up St. Louis. “High utility bills often place an emotional and economic crunch on the elderly and disabled people, who are on fixed incomes.”

The funds from the Rams fundraiser will help those area qualified seniors, the disabled and needy households with small children, who need their utilities reconnected. Heat-Up St. Louis has become the regional safety net, after all utility and federal/state funds have been exhausted. In some cases Heat-Up St. Louis has been the only primary funding source for re-connecting households with a one-time, grant level that may go as high as $600 per household.

Since October, the charity has distributed about $70,000 and raised about $55,000 from its first fall gala, St. Louis Sisters Heating Up St Louis Benefit, among other small donations through UMB Bank.

The Charity is counting on funds from Rams fans to help refill its financial coffers. Not being able to pay high or delinquent heating bills could force some area low-income families into bankruptcy or homelessness or force some into using unsafe methods of heating their homes, or stealing utilities.

Those who are caught stealing utilities maybe subject to prosecution and will have to pay 100% of their outstanding balance before being re-connected. Attempting to steal utilities can endanger lives and property. Heat-Up St. Louis will not pledge for anyone caught stealing energy.

Last winter, Heat-Up St. Louis received more than $900,000 in various tax-deductible donations, and since its inception about eight years ago; it has impacted the lives of more than 100,000 persons.

Powerful and Talented Vocalists Erin Bode and Kim Massie Donate Talents to Heat-Up St. Louis – For St. Louis Sisters Heating-Up St. Louis Community Gala Benefit, October 4th At Pierre’s/Faust’s Night Spot In The Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront

On Saturday, October 4, Jazz vocalist Erin Bode and versatile vocalist Kim Massie are being featured in the “St. Louis Sisters Heating-up St. Louis” annual community gala benefit at 7:00 p.m., in a special one-time-only expanded Pierre’s/Faust’s Night Club, located in the Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront hotel, at 4th and Chestnut Streets. The evening includes a unique auction, featuring notable charity auctioneer J. Kim Tucci, an open bar, and cabaret dining.  St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley are co-chairing the benefit host committee.  With some area residents’ heating bills anticipating an increase of upward to 30%  this winter, there is a need for additional funding in the marketplace to avoid some neighbors having to use unsafe and unhealthy methods of heating their homes.

Showtime is 7:00 p.m and there are several reception opportunities.  Ticket prices:  include $50 – per person,  a VIP 6:30 P.M. reception in Pierre’s and a reserved show section; $75 per person at a 6:00 P.M. reception with the Stars, including Erin Bode, and co-chairs, and a reserved section; $150 special sponsorship re-connects one needy household (a heating grant) and provides one (1) reserved ticket to the 6:00 p.m. reception, and upfront reserved seating at Showtime.   The $50/$75 tickets are available at MetroTix outlets (Fox Theatre, Macy’s, and select Schnucks), online at metrotix.com; and charge-by-phone at 314-534-1111. Metrotix fees are included in this charitable event.  All donors will participate in the open bar and cabaret dining.

The sponsorship package and general donations for those not able to attend should be made payable to Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o Suite 603, 1221 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, or through the charity’s website, at www.heatupstlouis.org.  Thanks to the generosity of the singing sisters, the hotel’s donated services, and a grant from AmerenUE, 100% of all ticket prices will be used for helping area seniors and the disabled pay their delinquent heating bills this winter.  For additional benefit information ONLY call, 314-369-7407.

Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc. is an all-volunteer, independent, not-for-profit energy assistance and educational charity covering parts of Missouri and Illinois. 100% of all public donations go toward servicing the needy, as all expenses are underwritten by special board donations and sponsorships. Winter energy assistance begins on/or before November 1, 2008 .  At that time those in need should call our automated help hotline 314-241-7668.  Since its inception, the charity has impacted the lives of more than 100,000 qualified needy people, mostly seniors and the disabled, and households with small sick infants and raised more than $3 million from mostly small donations.

“These are tough economic times for most,” said J. Kim Tucci, chair emeritus, of the all-volunteer, non-utility, independent energy assistance and public education charity. “Despite the challenging economy, St. Louis area residents have always displayed a good Christian-Judeo spirit of helping their less fortunate neighbors, especially fragile seniors and the disabled.”

The $25,000 fundraising announcement was made Monday evening when the temperature-index had hit 108 degrees. In addition to the fans’ donations, Hardee’s concessions at Busch Stadium gave 100% of its soft-drink and French fries proceeds to the charity. Tucci, said that the charity is STILL anticipating additional funds, within the next week or so, on-line, at www.cooldownstlouis.org or through Cool Down St. Louis c/o Post Office Box, 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.  100% of all public donations are used for servicing the needy, as an all-volunteer board underwrites all operational costs.

The volunteers also distributed more than 5,000 Cool Down Check On Your Neighbors Cooling Cards donated by AmerenUE. The cards encourage area residents to help find seniors, and disabled people and get them electric or air-conditioning assistance, as well as provide them with cooling tips. Seniors and disabled individuals, needing help should call the automated Cool Down St. Louis hotline at 314-241-7668.

The charity encourages all seniors or disabled and even low-income people to call AmerenUE, or whoever is their local utility company and attempt to work out a payment plan to avoid disconnection down the line.  Seniors and disabled people are encouraged to continue to run their cooling units, and seek financial help. Cool Down officials believe that the current funds collected will be distributed within less than one week, due to the demand.

During the month of August, new and slightly used air-conditioners can be dropped off, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the Sunset Hills, O’Fallon (St. Charles) or North campuses at Vatterott College. The college will have its HVAC personnel prepare the units for distribution to Cool Down St. Louis. The units must be less than two years old, and in good working condition.

On Friday August 1, Saturday August 2, and Sunday August 3, Cool Down St. Louis, a regional, all-volunteer, not-for-profit cooling charity providing air-conditioners, and paying electric bills for the elderly, disabled and needy households with sick infants, is having its annual Cards Shake Our Cans and Cool Down the Needy fundraiser in partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. All-Star Cardinal player Ryan Ludwick is this year’s honorary chair.

More than 200 volunteers, including St Louis Firefighters, employees of CITI and AmerenUE and media personalities will be wearing yellow caps, toting red buckets stationed throughout the weekend outside of the ballpark, including some garages and Metro station exists, two hours before each game. 100% of all proceeds from the sale of soft drinks and French fries at the Hardees concessions all weekend at Busch will be donated to Cool Down St. Louis. This year for the first-time, Cool Down St. Louis has instituted a new on-line, Virtual Shake Our Can project. This project gives sports fans and all area residents, a chance to make safe credit card on-line donations, (www.cooldownstlouis.org) and see the Cool Down canister shake and fill with current donation amounts.

Cards fans and the general public may also drop off donations at the new CITI Cool Down Hospitality mini-tent located near Gate 2 at Busch. AmerenUE volunteers will also distribute educational materials at the hospitality mini-tent and all volunteers will hand out a Cool Down Check On Your Neighbors Card to donors. Also, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, chairwoman Melanie DiLeo, Richard Mark, SVP, AmerenUE, St. Louis Public Safety Director Charles Bryson, and Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus will lead a group of Cool Down St. Louis officials on the field for an annual ceremony on Friday, August 1st before the game between the Cards and Phillies.  They will also be taking up collections from the general public around Busch.

“As the summer heats-up, Missouri and Illinois residents need to check on their neighbors,” said Kevin X. McGowan, board president of Cool Down St. Louis.” Hot weather can literally zap the life right out of many area elderly and disabled people, and critically-ill infants.”

This year Cool Down St. Louis is encouraging only seniors and disabled people to contact its resource hotline, at 314-241-7668, if they feel that they cant afford to pay their July or August electric bill. A disconnection notice is not required this summer for seniors and the disabled seeking help. The charity is working with AmerenUE to keep customers connected, if they can make some sort of payment plan, including using a one-time Cool Down pledge.

While the summer weather has been somewhat bearable for many area residents, it hasn’t been for seniors, the disabled and needy households with sick infants. Even when the temperatures climb into the 80s, many brick houses exceed those temperatures. If a senior or disabled person is challenged with other escalating medical, food and rental costs, it only adds to their physical and mental stress, according to Dr. James Knight, board vice chair, and chair of the health and safety committee for the energy assistance charity.

So, far this summer Cool Down St. Louis has joined partnership efforts which have distributed more than 500 brand new and slightly used air conditioners. During the month of August the general public can still drop-off brand new and slightly used air conditioners on campuses at area Vatterott Colleges in Sunset Hills, North County, and OFallon in St. Charles County. Drop-off hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Locations and phone numbers are available on-line at www.cooldownstlouis.org.

Larger 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 through the secured website, at www.cooldownstlouis.org. Also smaller, cash donations may be dropped off any UMB Bank Center in Missouri or Illinois.

100% of all Cool Down St. Louis public donations service the needy, as operational expenses are underwritten by an all-volunteer, board of directors. Cool Down St. Louis, is the summer program of Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc

St. Louis County — Cool Down St. Louis, a regional, all-volunteer, not-for-profit energy assistance and education charity covering about 17 MO/ILL counties, including the City of St. Louis and officials with Vatterott College, headquartered in St. Louis, which has 21 campuses across nine Midwestern states on Friday announced a comprehensive summer partnership.

“The S.O.S. Project,” (Saving Our Seniors) partnership was announced at the North Park Vatterott Campus in Berkeley by Pamela Bell, president and CEO, Vatterott College, Kevin X. McGowan, board president, Cool Down St. Louis, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, and Dr. James Knight, vice-chair, Cool Down St. Louis.

“We realize that the public is struggling with high gasoline costs, mortgage or rent payments, and the escalating costs of food, and utilities,” said Kevin X. McGowan. “We just hope they realize that there are always less fortunate people than themselves.” McGowan noted that with current consistently moderate summer temperatures people are not thinking about the potentials of heat-related deaths and illnesses.

Cool Down St. Louis, an all-volunteer effort, where 100% of all tax-deductible donations go toward servicing the poor, also announced that it is experiencing a tremendous lull this summer in terms of the donation of air-conditioners and money.

“The Vatterott offer comes at a significant time for us,” said St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, also a Cool Down St. Louis board member. “These are very challenging times for most of us — let’s face it, it’s even tougher times for those on fixed incomes — who maybe in desperate need of staying cool.”

Vatterott College has agreed as of Monday, July 14 to have three area campuses accept brand new donated and slightly used air-conditioners as drop-off sites. The three sites include North County, Sunset Hills and St. Charles County, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. through August 31. The slightly used units will be examined by trained HVAC personnel, and they are urging the public to make sure that the units are working, and no more than two years old. The public may call 314-843-4200 or log-on to cooldownstlouis.org for drop-off locations.

Vatterott College also made a $5,000 pledge which helped purchase some new air-conditioners, and provided use of funds for energy assistance grants. The grants will help avoid utility disconnections for area seniors, disabled people and needy households with small infant.

“These two months are the most challenging in terms of making sure that the most vulnerable are safe and cool,” said Pamela Bell, president and CEO, Vatterott College. “We encourage our associates and area neighbors surrounding our three campuses to drop-off an air-conditioner, which may prove life-saving to some frail senior or disabled person.”

The Vatterott leadership has also agreed to have their HVAC personnel train Cool Down St. Louis officials to recognized the basics of handling units that are slightly used. They also stressed the importance of continuing a philanthropic relationship with Cool Down St. Louis and Heat-Up St. Louis.

Dooley also congratulated Vatterott College for being a good corporate citizen with a resolution, and named July and August, “Vatterott and Cool Down St. Louis S.O.S.” months in St. Louis County. Dooley stressed that the units will be distributed throughout the St. Louis region, despite the drop-offs being in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties.

“The need is region-wide,” said Dooley. “And wherever we need to help save a senior, we will do that through Cool Down St. Louis and their networking social service partners.”

The Cool Down St. Louis officials challenged other area corporations and the general public to give: Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188 or by using a credit card at www.cooldownstlouis.org.

Cool Down St. Louis officials believe that so far the region has dodged severe, deadly, hot weather. “Yet, it is critical to develop programs to further engage the public,” said Dr. James Knight, vice chair, Cool Down St. Louis. “So, far this summer, we’ve been luckier than most regions. Many parts of the country are still struggling and suffering with hot temperatures. Hot weather taxes our physically being.”

Cool Down St. Louis officials also encouraged seniors and the disabled to continue to keep their air-conditioners on, if they have them. The charity stressed that in cooperation with AmerenUE, if customers attempt to make payment arrangements on their summer electric bills, or if they qualify and receive a Cool Down grant, the utility company must be notified in advance, and will attempt not to disconnect their services.

The three Vatterott College campus drop-off sites are: NorthPark, 8580, Evans Ave, Berkeley, MO, 314-264-1000; Sunset Hills, 12970 Maurer Industrial Dr., St. Louis, MO, 314-843-4200; and St. Charles County – O’Fallon, 927 E. Terra Lane, O’Fallon, MO, 636-978-7488.

The brand new and slightly used units will be distributed throughout the St. Louis region, based on qualification. Seniors, the disabled and needy households with small sick children, can call the automated Cool Down St. Louis Resource Hotline at 314-241-7668.

The winter charity, Heat-Up St. Louis is currently negotiating with the L’Ecole Culinaire chefs for a public, high-end culinary benefit, in 2009.

Both young-adult organizations are reaching across the aisles in a joint effort to sponsor the first annual “Father’s Day, Take A Chance, Cool Down St. Louis Celebrity Softball Benefit.” The first-time fundraiser is to benefit Cool Down St. Louis, a regional, non-utility, all-volunteer, non-partisan, cooling assistance and education charity. The joint non-partisan effort is scheduled for Sunday, June 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Lyon Park at Broadway and Arsenal, across from the Anheuser-Busch brewery.

“This is one of many opportunities this summer, where elected officials and the public can come together,” said Kevin X. McGowan, board president of Cool Down St. Louis. “We’re non-partisan, and these wonderful people of different persuasions have one thing in common — a charitable spirit, who are remembering seniors and the disabled in need.”

There are various donation sponsorship levels for area political leaders and candidates in the Republican and Democratic parties. The public can obtain a $20 donation ticket prior to the celebrity softball game and ceremonies through either group. Democrats should can 314-809-5083 and Republicans, 314-452-2718 or by logging onto websites at www.cooldownstlouis.org, www.stlyr.com; or www.youngdems.com. Also group tickets can be obtained by sending a check or money order made payable to Cool Down St. Louis, and sent in care of c/o Suite 603, 1221 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, no later than midnight, June 12. 2008.

Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley are serving as the honorary “club owners,” and Richard Mark, senior vice president of Missouri Delivery Service for AmerenUE is the honorary club president. AmerenUE made a special $5,000 donation as a club president sponsor.

Area political leaders are being asked to sponsor various honorary softball positions — managers, pitchers, trainers, coaches, bat boys and girls. Each organization will have a team of 15 individuals actually playing a game of softball. 100% of the proceeds from the ticket donations and sponsorships will all go toward helping some area seniors and the disabled pay their electric bills or purchase new air-conditioners in about 17 Missouri and Illinois counties, including the City of St. Louis.

This year’s fundraiser will also include special door prize drawings, courtesy of Emmis Communications and the Pasta House Co. First prize is one HP laptop, second prize – A KSHE Blues Party for Ten; third prize – $250 cash or gift certificate, fourth prize one – 100.00 Pasta House Co. gift certificate, and fifth prize is a $50 Pasta House Co. gift certificate.

Cool Down St. Louis is the regional summer program of Heat-Up St. Louis, a non-profit, energy assistance and education, non-utility charity. Cool Down’s goal is to help qualified, elderly and disabled people, and poor families with small sick infants avoid health-related deaths and illnesses.

The charity provides donated brand-new, and used good air-conditioners – 2 years old, and also helps pay some electric bills. General donations are tax-deductible as all expenses are underwritten by a volunteer board, or corporate sponsor, so that 100% of each public donated dollar helps the needy. The summer effort is often the only regional financial safety net, during the hot and humid days of summer. Volunteers are needed to help with the “Check On Your Neighbors” project and fundraising programs. Donations can be sent to: Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.
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Editor’s Note: For additional information call Martin Casas, executive director, the Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis, at 314-809-5083 and James Knowles, III, president, the St. Louis Area Young Republicans at 314-452-2718, or Cool Down St. Louis press representatives at 314-369-7407.

A Record-breaking $600,000 Raised in February for Heat-Up St. Louis

Today, City Officials of St. Louis announced that they have provided $400,000 in energy assistance grants to Heat-Up St. Louis, an all-volunteer, regional independent, utility assistance charity covering about 17 Missouri and Illinois counties, including the City of St. Louis. The funds will be used for qualified City residents, who are low-income, elderly or disabled and are having problems paying their winter delinquent utility bills.

“These are tough times for many people. Rising fuel prices coupled with harsh weather, the mortgage crisis and the weak economy have pushed many seniors and families to the brink,” said St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay. “I am especially worried about our most vulnerable citizens: seniors, disabled people and young children.”

Although Heat-Up St. Louis service area goes beyond the City, the Mayor took note that the advocacy and utility assistance charity in partnership with the City of St. Louis has become a critical safety net for many needy families, seniors and disabled people. Heat Up St. Louis is made up entirely of volunteers. 100% of the public money goes for direct energy assistance.

In addition, AmerenUE and Heat-Up St. Louis unveiled a first-time unprecedented partnership relating to public education and advocacy surrounding the need to develop and administer various energy conservation/energy efficiency programs, and advocacy grassroots initiatives. The electric and natural gas firm presented a check for $50,000 to Heat-Up St. Louis officials to underwrite costs associated with these new efforts during 2008.

“We believe that this all-volunteer charitable effort does some good deeds within the St. Louis region,” said Richard J. Mark, senior vice president of Missouri Energy Delivery, AmerenUE. “We discussed our commonalities, and how they could benefit the community at large.”

In addition, AmerenUE announced that it would support the summer program, Cool Down St. Louis with a purchase of 100 brand-new air-conditioners to be distributed this summer to low-income households with small infants, seniors and the disabled. This donation is part of the Cool Down St. Louis, “Check On Your Neighbor,” region-wide, outreach project.

“These funds come at a most dramatic time, when we’ve experienced a tremendous series of cold-snaps during February,” said Kevin X. McGowan, president of Blue Urban, a national loft and real estate development firm based in St. Louis and volunteer board president of Heat-Up St. Louis. “We can be assured that the February utility bills are going to be huge and not affordable for thousands of needy people.”

Heat-Up St. Louis officials reiterated that being without a home heating source can be dangerous from a health, and property safety standpoint. Winter has the highest incidents of apartment and house fires, because many people resort to unsafe methods in an effort to stay warm. Officials also warned the utility customers that they are obligated to make arrangements to pay something on their monthly bills, despite the Cold Weather Rule or at least inform the companies of their inability to pay.

A record-breaking $600,000 in donations and grants were raised during the month of February for Heat-Up St. Louis, the all-volunteer, regional utility assistance, and public education charity.

Heat-Up St. Louis officials said that the funding sources for that $600,000 include: The Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Utility Tax Relief Fund, the Use Tax Trust Fund, Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust, Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat, and Schnucks Scan and Give to Heat-Up projects, and various public and private donations, etc.

Tax-deductible donations may still be sent to Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188. People who feel that they qualify for energy assistance may call the automated Heat-Up St. Louis Hotline, at 314-241-7668.

60,000 HARDEE’S BISCUITS SOLD TODAY

The 8th annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat-Up St. Louis project, the largest annual fundraiser for the regional, not-for-profit, all-volunteer utility assistance charity raised so far, a recording breaking $75,000. Last winter about $60,000 was raised. Due to the severe cold weather this year, Hardee’s is keeping up this weekend, its canister collection efforts only, in all of the restaurants, seeking additional public donations.

About 60,000 made-from-scratch Hardee’s Sausage and Egg Biscuits and Egg Biscuits honoring Lent were sold this Friday from 6:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at St. Louis area Hardee’s restaurants in Missouri and Illinois with about $15,000 in small donations gathered by 300 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 people, seniors and the disabled.

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, board president 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.”

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.

Heat-Up St. Louis, a regional safety-net project began almost eight years ago, and has received more than $2 million in public and private donations and helped more than 100,000 people.

Also leading area volunteers this year were, St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, Kevin X. McGowan, president of Blue Urban and board president of Heat-Up St. Louis, Dr. James Knight, vascular surgeon, and vice-chair and Melanie Dileo, state director of Citigroup and board chairwoman of Heat-Up St. Louis.

For additional media information, contact 314-369-7407.