This winter 2010-11, the all-volunteer, regional, not-for-profit utility assistance charity has embarked on a membership drive to help bolster extra donations due to federal and state energy assistance cutbacks.  The memberships are 100%  tax-deductible and maybe made on-line at www.heatupstlouis.org.  They range from $30 to $5,000.

Today officials with CH2M Hill will make a $5,000 Good Samaritan donation to the all-volunteer charity, and Peabody Energy has announced a Corporate Good Neighbor donation of $10,000 for public education, and emergency assistance.

Officials with Heat-Up St. Louis are concerned with the rash of house fires, often due to people using unsafe methods of heating their homes. This year, at least two people have dead in heat-related accidents.

The donations of $15,000 can help about 105 needy people in about 15 Missouri and Illinois counties.  Heat-Up St. Louis is encouraging the public and area corporations to consider it for ‘year-end’ contributions by sending donations to Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188 or through its secured website, at www.heatupstlouis.org.

For more information, about Heat-Up St. Louis memberships log onto its official website at www.heatupstlouis.org.

100% of all public donations are strictly used for servicing the needy, and since its inception 10 years ago, Heat-Up St. Louis has impacted the lives of more than 220,000 people.

The plans were unveiled during the all-volunteer, regional utility assistance, and advocacy, charity’s press conference in St. Louis City Hall, in an effort to keep area needy households safe and warm during the 2010-11 winter heating season.

The plans include offering, for the first time, Heat-Up St. Louis annual memberships in seven donation categories, ranging from $60 to $5,000 for individuals and corporations; ongoing dialogue with the Missouri Public Service Commission and utilities in an effort to make it much easier to avoid disconnection during the winter heating season; holding conservation and educational workshops. In addition to the help hotline (314-241-7668), the working poor can now go on-line (www.heatupstlouis.org) to obtain guidance and assistance.

By way, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley has taken an Adopt-A-Family membership, which allows three (3) needy households, each to qualify for a $300 heating grant.

The 10 year-old, non-utility charity covering 17 Missouri and Illinois counties, including the City of St. Louis, in partnership with the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition will be asking individuals, for the first time this winter, to “Check On Your Neighbors”.  Finally, Heat-Up St. Louis will embark on a strong series of health and safety public service campaigns.

On Friday, $330,000 was presented to Heat-up St. Louis to help with regional energy efforts. The City of St. Louis provided a shot-in-the arm with a $280,000 heating grant, and Ameren Missouri presented a special energy efficiency, emergency assistance and public education grant for $50,000.   The City’s funding source is the Equitable Relief From the Utility Tax Fund.

“Heat-Up St. Louis is a chance for us to make sure that some of the more vulnerable members of our community are warm and safe this winter season,” said Mayor Slay. “The City is proud to partner with Heat-Up St. Louis – and I’m excited to start off this campaign with $280,000 that will go, in its entirety, to people who need help with heating bills this winter.”

LIHEAP, the federally funded energy assistance program is anticipating a significant reduction in President Obama’s budget and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon’s administration has yet to make a firm commitment to funding the Missouri Utilicare program.  In recent years, the national home heating program was funded and approved by Congress at a level of $5.2 billion versus the current proposed $3.2 billion.

In addition, the U.S. House of Representatives has recently refused the unemployment extension of four (4) million Americans, and some people could go from the extended unemployment rolls straight to the homeless rolls.

Heat-Up St. Louis’ honorary vice chair, Charlie Dooley, the St. Louis County Executive, confessed that government can’t always fund the high demand of utility assistance, but he went on to say that, “Our County residents have taken a leadership role in making the largest public donations than any other part of the region, it is also, all about people helping people to avoid health and safety issues.”

If the federal funding level remains as proposed, the St. Louis metropolitan area, (Missouri and Illinois) will receive approximately $137 million less in utility assistance; that would be about $43.8 million and $94.8 million less, respectively in Missouri and Illinois.

Heat-Up St. Louis also announced that it is in a series of productive and positive ongoing meetings with the Missouri Public Service Commission, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Laclede Gas, Ameren Missouri, the Office of Public Counsel and other interested parties to strengthen the area’s utility assistance safety net.  This was done in part due to fears of some needy households using unsafe method of heating their homes, and anticipating the availability of energy assistance funds will be in short supply this winter.

The charity also believes that public education and additional utility funding helps with homeless prevention. “The St. Louis region may be facing an insurmountable challenge,” said the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., chairman of grant allocations for Heat-Up St. Louis.  “At a time when so many people are scratching the bottoms of their pockets looking for rent or mortgage money, they still are often forced in a life and death decision of heating and eating.”

Heat-Up St. Louis officials, along with St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, pointed out that winter months have the highest incidents of home and apartment fires, often due to use of unsafe heating method in homes.  Jenkerson also dialogued with the Missouri Public Service Commission making sure that the regulatory agency and the area local utilities laser focused on safety issues, especially this winter where funds are limited so far, and may be depleted before the winter of 2011 is actually over.

“It’s imperative that we never stop offering people alternatives to using space heaters as their primary heating sources,” said Chief Jenkerson, co-chair of the health and safety committee of Heat-Up St. Louis. “Unsafe space heaters are the primary causes of house fires, especially when they are near combustibles.”

Founder of Heat-Up St Louis, Gentry Trotter pointed out that Jenkerson and his involvement in an informal Missouri heating committee led by the MPSC will result in greater benefits for the Missouri utility consumer. So far:

The Missouri Public Service Commission is reviewing a recent tariff filing by Laclede Gas, who wholeheartedly volunteered to cooperate with interested parties in trying to ensure that as many needy customers as possible are helped this winter, despite the Cold Weather Rule.

The tariff filing will permit certain customers (i.e. those with household incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty level) who would otherwise have to pay 80% of their arrearages to retain or restore their utility service to only have to pay 50%.  The remaining 30% would be paid out of the $150,000 that is being reallocated from Laclede’s Low-Income Energy Affordability Program.

Heat-Up St. Louis is hoping at some point that additional dollars are funded by Laclede as that program is quickly depleted.

A proposal by various interested parties, who worked with the MPSC, will offer an emergency repair program allowing customers who need modest repairs to their furnaces to obtain financial help of up to $500 to complete the work, in order to continue receiving utility services. This is contingent on approval by the Department of Natural Resources.  

Heat-up St. Louis points out that damaged or broken furnaces can automatically cause Laclede to disconnect the service in the middle of winter.  Furthermore, the charity sees time and again, people using unsafe methods of heating homes, often due to the households’ inabilities to pay for repairs; thus these efforts support the safety and health infrastructure within our region.

Several needy clients were available to the media to discuss how they were recently helped by Heat-Up St. Louis and that they probably would need assistance again this coming winter. Clients who wish to qualify for energy assistance are required to provide proof-of-income, and a photo I.D. Heat-Up St. Louis, which offers help to the City of St. Louis as well as roughly 17 Missouri and Illinois counties, aids qualified seniors, disabled, and low-income people based on income and health issues.

Heat-Up St. Louis works with individuals who have been disconnected (or are in danger of being disconnected) from their utility services. In the City, heating grants will be limited to $350; with the potential of another $250 for emergencies in an effort to stretch dollars, and in other areas of the region, grants will be limited to $250. Previously, the City’s household grant ceiling has been $600 for a one-time supplementary heat grant.

“If consumers don’t inform the utility companies of their inability to pay, as well as seek energy assistance, they will be assured of a shut-off,” Melanie DiLeo, Chairwoman, Board of Directors for Heat-Up St. Louis, pointed out. “It’s not only unsafe to be without a home heating source during the chilly fall and cold winter; it’s also dangerous to your health.”

Heat-Up St. Louis also stressed the importance of all Missouri residents to take full advantage of the Cold Weather Rule, which prohibits shut-offs of utility service when the temperature is forecasted to drop below 32 degrees. The “Rule” gives consumers a chance to make monthly budget arrangements and customers should notify the utility of their inability to pay. In Illinois, one can negotiate with their heating vendor in most cases.

Since its inception, the charity, which partners with 14 major agencies, has impacted the lives of more than 225,000 needy people. This has been done through public education, heating grants, and referrals through the resource hotline at 314-241-7668. And HUSTL has accepted more than $4 million in donations.

In addition to the new membership program being offered, and special fundraisers like “Rams Boot Out Old Man Winter” and “Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat,” larger donations may be sent to www.heatupstlouis.org or through UMB Bank at Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.

The membership categories include: $60 – Friends; $125 – Good Neighbor; $250 – Ambassador of Need; $500 – A Good Samaritan; $1,000 – Adopt-A-Family, $2,500 – Plus Gold Individual/Corporate and $5,000 Lifetime Individual/Sponsorship Corporate.

During November through March, the Cold Weather Rule is in effect in Missouri, which prohibits utility firms from disconnecting a customer for non-payment, as long as the temperature is BELOW 32 degrees.

The charity is also encouraging the public who do NOT qualify for utility assistance to call their local utility and work with them on a payment plan.  HUPSTL is asking the general public to avoid unsafe methods of heating their homes. This includes using a electric space heater, as a primary source of heating.  The charity reminds the public that winter has the highest incidents of home and apartment fires, than any other time during the year.

Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., services about 17 Missouri and Illinois counties, including the City of St. Louis, and has helped more than 100,000 people since its inception, 10 years ago.  100% of all public donations go towards servicing the needy ONLY.

The charity is also planning its first fundraiser, on November 21, outside of the Edward Jones Dome.  Area firefighters and high school football players and other volunteers will take up special collections from Rams fans, during the annual Boot Out Old Man Winter Collection Drive, two hours before the Rams game. Anyone can give through all UMB banks.

The general public can also become a member of Heat-Up St. Louis, by making a donation at www.heatupstlouis.org, or sending a tax-deductible donation to Heat-Up St. Louis, c/o UMB, P.O. Box 868, and St. Louis, MO 63188.

Cool Down St. Louis officials are also asking the media to considering posting its website strictly for donations ONLY, and use the 314-241-7668 for help, since the majority of the general poor population don’t have computers to log onto for help.

Because the need is greater than ever, Cool Down St. Louis is currently in partnership with Vatterott Colleges in Missouri and Illinois, and they are asking the general public to donate new and slightly air-conditioners by dropping them off to any Vatterott College campus, Monday thru Friday during business hours. Before the $25,000 is used, as emergency cases, the regional charity is hoping that the public participates in the S.O.S. (Saving our Seniors) project.

Also Cool Down St. Louis has limited funds for ONLY for households with seniors, the disabled and needy families with small children to help with their electric bills.  Needy clients should call 314-241-7668 the automatic help hotline.

The charity is working with the 14 area social service agency agencies and churches to “Check on Their Neighbors,” and to help qualify needy people.

The public can go on-line at www.cooldownstlouis.org to make a credit card donation, or go to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.

Unlike other groups dealing with air-conditioners this summer, 100% of all public donations to Cool Down St. Louis go towards servicing the needy.  No expenses are taken out for staffing, and installations of the units are donated, by Cool Down St. Louis volunteers.

Area residents and businesses can drop-off a new or slightly used air-conditioner, less than two years ago, and at any Vatterott College. The College will clean-up and prepare the used units for re-use into area home of seniors, the disabled or a needy family with small children.  All donors will receive a tax receipt for their IRS purposes.

The NorthPark, Sunset Hills, O’Fallon and Fairview Heights, IL campuses all offer programs in Heating, AC & Refrigeration Technology. For the exact locations nearest the residents, the public should call 314.843.4200.

The regional, education and utility assistance charity, now operating in its 10th year, is also making a public plea for utility assistance donations to help stop disconnections of seniors, the disabled and needy households with small children. 100% of all public donations are used solely for servicing the needy, no administrative expenses are subtracted.

Cool Down St. Louis is taking donations on-line at www.cooldownstlouis.org, or by writing a check to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188, or dropping by cash or checks to any Missouri or Illinois UMB Bank teller.

Cool Down St. Louis also invites the public to go on-line at www.cooldownstlouis.org for summer cooling tips, and locations of cooling centers throughout the metropolitan area.

However, on Wednesday, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, Richard Mark, Senior Vice President, Customer Operations, AmerenUE, Denise Liebel of St. Charles County, and Cool Down STL, Executive VP, Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr. of St. Louis City, and Chair Emeritus, and Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, representing the Fire Chief Association of Greater St. Louis announced that AmerenUE has donated 100 Energy Star windows to Cool Down St. Louis. The announced took place at the AmerenUE headquarters on the upper parking lot, where about 15 vans and trucks loaded up the new units for distribution sites.

Cool Down St. Louis also announced that its Vatterott S.O.S. Cool Down Campus Drop-off project. Beginning Thursday, June 17, Vatterott Colleges in Missouri and Illinois will accept new and slightly used (less than 2 years old) air-conditioners and Cool Down St. Louis will provide tax receipts for each unit donated.

The Cool Down St. Louis partners with more than 14 Missouri and Illinois area social service agencies, who picked-up the units; and with Cool Down guidelines will also deliver to qualified seniors, the disabled and low-income households with children, who are in need of a window unit this summer.

The charity also encouraged people to call AmerenUE or their utility company in their area and inform them of their inability to pay. By not calling, or making arrangements, during the summer months, your service can be disconnected.

The “Check on Your Neighbors” project was also unveiled in an effort to avoid heat-related deaths and illnesses. Thousands of Cool Down Cooling Cards will be distributed throughout the metropolitan area to churches, civic and business groups to remind people to check on their neighbors and refer those in need to the Cool Down St. Louis automatic resource hotline at 314-241-7668. Last summer, Cool Down St. Louis collected and distributed more than 770 new and slightly used air-conditioners from the combined efforts of AmerenUE and the Vatterott.

Cool Down St. Louis now accepting on-line donations at www.cooldownstlouis.org. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.

During the 10th Annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat-Up benefit, there will be about 400 volunteers serving as celebrity greeters in more than 60 area Missouri and Illinois area restaurants, during breakfast. They will be positioned (wearing special aprons) in the dining room, drive-thru and by the menu board of each Hardee’s unit, requesting extra tax-deductible donations.

The fast-food chain donates its Sausage and Egg Biscuit product, at a special price of $1.00, and 100% of the sells proceeds will go to Heat-Up St. Louis and the funds will stay in the respective counties where collected.. Hardee’s will also provide special canister collections for the general public to drop off donations in any amount during the entire weekend of February 12 thru 14. Larger tax-deductible donations may be given on-line at the secured website at www.heatupstlouis.org.

Area media will also host a series of live-roadblocks from various Hardees’ locations with various drop-bys of Heat-Up St. Louis board members and other prominent civic, business and political leaders.

Heat-Up St. Louis, the all-volunteer regional utility assistance and public education charity, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. During the recent severe cold snap, Heat-Up St. Louis received an average of 210 calls per day from people seeking help with their heating bills. During January, the independent grass-roots charity received inquiries from more than 3,500 people. Through its efforts, Heat-Up and some of its 14 partnering MO/ILL agencies have aided more than 4,500 with utility restoration or help with the avoidance of shut-offs. In February those numbers of people in need are expected to double, potentially hitting 10,000 and that’s based on availability of funds.

“These are dangerous and extremely tough times, attempting to meet the awesome needs of literally thousands of needy households within our region is mind-boggling,” said Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., longtime board member and Heat-Up St. Louis’ chair emeritus. “We need to save lives, we need to keep people warm, and we need to help hundreds, who are making daunting decisions between heating their homes, eating, paying their rent, and buying their prescription drugs.”

Some celebrity greeters participating in the February 12 fundraiser include: MO Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, (general campaign chair), St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay,(honorary board chair) St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley (honorary co-chair); Joe Bommarito, vice president, Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis; The Missouri Baptist Cheerleaders, Arch Rival Roller Girls, Cardinals’ Fred Bird, St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson; Lance LeComb of MSD, St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch, Melanie DiLeo, chairwoman of Heat-Up St. Louis; St. Louis Police Chief Dan Isom, Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, and area local Mayors, fire and law enforcement officials.

“Until you visit some of these needy homes, you have no idea of the bitter cold, the emotional trauma, and the uncertainty that many of our neediest neighbors face,” said Rev. Earl Nance.

Since its inception, Heat-Up St. Louis has impacted the lives of more than 199,000 people through public education, heating grants, and referrals through the resource help hotline at 314-241-7668.

Heat-Up St. Louis officials warn that winter months have the highest incidents of home and apartment fires, often due to use of unsafe heating method in homes. Officials also urge the public to avoid stealing electric and natural gas, because it can literally blow-up in their faces — killing people, and destroying homes and apartments within the neighborhood, etc.

“It’s imperative that we never stop offering people alternatives to using space heaters as their primary heating sources,” said Melanie DiLeo, chairwoman of Heat-Up’s board of directors. “Unsafe space heaters are the primary causes of house fires.”

Potential clients who wish to qualify for energy assistance are required to provide proof of income and a photo ID, etc. Heat-Up St. Louis offers help to qualified seniors, disabled, and low-income people (based on income and health issues) in the City of St. Louis and 17 nearby Missouri and Illinois counties. Heat-Up St. Louis works with people who have been disconnected (or are in danger of becoming disconnected) from their utility services. In the City, heating grants are limited to $600; in other areas of the region, grants are limited to $250, with emergency grants upward to $300. People can only obtain Heat-Up supplement utility funds once in a fiscal year. Those needy help should call the Resource Automated Hotline at 314-241-7668, or log onto .

Heat-Up St. Louis representatives also stressed the importance that all Missouri residents take full advantage of the Cold Weather Rule, which prohibits shut-offs of utility service when the temperature is forecasted to drop below freezing. Residents who realize they may have problems paying their utility bills should take the first step of notifying the utility company. The Missouri Cold Weather Rule also requires utilities to notify clients about possible financial help for utility bills, prohibits disconnection of registered low-income elderly or disabled customers who make a minimum payment, and allows customers to budget their payments over 12 months. Similar arrangements may exist in Illinois.

On Saturday, February 6, 2010, the regional, all-volunteer, bi-state area utility assistance charity, Heat-Up St. Louis kicks off its 10th annual Super Bowl Heat-Up Religious Collection Drive.  While friendly wagers are being taken for the annual football championship between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints, Heat-Up St. Louis wants the public in Missouri and Illinois to remember the poor.

The special collection is a call-to-action requesting that more than 2,500 area churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship consider either taking up a collection, or giving from their ‘poor fund’ a grant or donation to help thousands of Bi-state area qualified seniors, disabled and poor households with children, who are struggling to stay safe and warm this winter.

“This is a tough time for many of our brothers and sisters of various faiths,” said the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., chairman of the Super Bowl Religious Collection Drive. “Some of the less fortunate congregations are also struggling to keep their houses of worships warm, too, so in there lies the challenges.”  Reverend Nance said many congregations have huge utility bills, as well.

However, many of the area needy residents are in desperate need of obtaining utility assistance in an effort to keep their services from being discontinued and many are trying to get their services restored.

“Part of the Christian/Judeo belief teaches us that charity comes before self, and if we can open our hearts to others, blessing will often flow our way,” said Rev. Nance. “Heat-Up St. Louis has faith in the religious leadership of the St. Louis community, and with all of the world challenges, I think locally we can make a generous difference.”

Reverend Nance is also encouraging those who don’t follow various faiths to remember the poor beginning this weekend, February 6 by also sending a tax-deductible donation to: Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, and St. Louis, MO 63188 or on-line to a secure website at www.heatupstlouis.org. 100% of all donations will go towards servicing the needy, as all expenses are underwritten by an all-volunteer board of directors.

Since its inception, Heat-Up St. Louis has impacted the lives of more than 200,000 people through public education, heating grants, and referrals through the resource help hotline at 314-241-7668.

Heat-Up St. Louis officials warn that winter months have the highest incidents of home and apartment fires, often due to the use of unsafe heating method in homes. Officials also urge the public to avoid stealing electric and natural gas, because it’s unsafe and illegal.

Heat-Up St. Louis representatives also stressed the importance that all Missouri residents take full advantage of the Cold Weather Rule, which prohibits shut-offs of utility service when the temperature is forecasted to drop below freezing. Residents who realize they may have problems paying their utility bills should take the first step of notifying the utility company. The Missouri Cold Weather Rule also requires utilities to notify clients about possible financial help for utility bills, prohibits disconnection of registered low-income elderly or disabled customers who make a minimum payment, and allows customers to budget their payments over 12 months. Similar arrangements may exist in Illinois.

The 10th Annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat-Up benefit, gives area individuals, civic, religious and corporate groups a chance to engage in volunteering by serving as celebrity greeters in more than 60 area Missouri and Illinois area restaurants. On Friday, February 12, ONLY, The fast-food chain donates its Sausage and Egg Biscuit product, at a special price of $1.00, and 100% of the sells proceeds will go to Heat-Up St. Louis and the funds will stay in the respective county. Hardee’s will also provide special canister collections for the general public to drop off any amount during the entire weekend of February 12 thru 14. Larger tax-deductible donations may be given on-line at the secured web site of www.heatupstlouis.org. This year’s theme is “Have a Heart…Heat a Home.”

Also more than 400 volunteers are scheduled to serve as celebrity greeters on Friday, February 12 during the morning breakfast hours of 6:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. They will be positioned (wearing special aprons) in the dining room, drive-thru and by the menu board of each Hardee’s unit, requesting extra tax-deductible donations. Area media will also host a series of live-roadblocks from various Hardees’ locations with various drop-bys of Heat-Up St. Louis board members and other prominent civic, business and political leaders.

Heat-Up St. Louis, the all-volunteer regional utility assistance and public education charity, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. During the recent severe cold snap, Heat-Up St. Louis received an average of 210 calls per day from people seeking help with their heating bills. During January, the independent grass-roots charity received inquiries from more than 3,500 people. Through its efforts, Heat-Up and some of its 14 partnering MO/ILL agencies have aided more than 4,500 with utility restoration or help with the avoidance of shut-offs. In February those numbers of people in need are expected to double, potentially hitting 10,000 and that’s based on availability of funds.

“These are dangerous and extremely tough times, attempting to meet the awesome needs of literally thousands of needy households within our region is mind-boggling,” said Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., longtime board member and Heat-Up St. Louis’ chair emeritus. “We need to save lives, we need to keep people warm, and we need to help hundreds, who are making daunting decisions between heating their homes, eating, paying their rent, and buying their prescription drugs.”

Some celebrity greeters participating in the Feb. 12 fundraiser include Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, general campaign chair for Heat-Up St. Louis; St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, honorary board chair; St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, honorary co-chair; Joe Bommarito, vice president of the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association; St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson; Lance LeComb of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, a board member; Melanie DiLeo of Citigroup, a chairwoman; Rev. Earl E. Nance Jr. of the Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, Chair Emeritus; St. Louis Police Chief Dan Isom; Aldermanic President Lewis Reed; Lance LeComb, spokesperson for MSD; St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch; the Missouri Baptist Cheerleaders; and the Arch Rival Roller Girls. In addition, other Heat-Up St. Louis board members, local mayors, fire and law enforcement agents, state and federal officials also have been invited to participate in the 3 1/2-hour fundraiser.

“Until you visit some of these needy homes, you have no idea of the bitter cold, the emotional trauma, and the uncertainty that many of our neediest neighbors face,” said Rev. Earl Nance.

Since its inception, Heat-Up St. Louis has impacted the lives of more than 199,000 people through public education, heating grants, and referrals through the resource help hotline at 314-241-7668.

Heat-Up St. Louis officials warn that winter months have the highest incidents of home and apartment fires, often due to use of unsafe heating method in homes. Officials also urge the public to avoid stealing electric and natural gas, because it can literally blow-up in their faces — killing people, and destroying homes and apartments within the neighborhood, etc.

“It’s imperative that we never stop offering people alternatives to using space heaters as their primary heating sources,” said Melanie DiLeo, chairwoman of Heat-Up’s board of directors. “Unsafe space heaters are the primary causes of house fires.”

Potential clients who wish to qualify for energy assistance are required to provide proof of income and a photo ID, etc. Heat-Up St. Louis offers help to qualified seniors, disabled, and low-income people (based on income and health issues) in the City of St. Louis and 17 nearby Missouri and Illinois counties. Heat-Up St. Louis works with people who have been disconnected (or are in danger of becoming disconnected) from their utility services. In the City, heating grants are limited to $600; in other areas of the region, grants are limited to $250, with emergency grants upward to $300. People can only obtain Heat-Up supplement utility funds once in a fiscal year. Those needy help should call the Resource Automated Hotline at 314-241-7668, or log onto www.heatupstlouis.org

Heat-Up St. Louis representatives also stressed the importance that all Missouri residents take full advantage of the Cold Weather Rule, which prohibits shut-offs of utility service when the temperature is forecasted to drop below freezing. Residents who realize they may have problems paying their utility bills should take the first step of notifying the utility company. The Missouri Cold Weather Rule also requires utilities to notify clients about possible financial help for utility bills, prohibits disconnection of registered low-income elderly or disabled customers who make a minimum payment, and allows customers to budget their payments over 12 months. Similar arrangements may exist in Illinois.

The 10th Annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat-Up benefit, gives area individuals, civic, religious and corporate groups a chance to engage in volunteering by serving as celebrity greeters in more than 60 area Missouri and Illinois area restaurants. On Friday, February 12, ONLY, The fast-food chain donates its Sausage and Egg Biscuit product, at a special price of $1.00, and 100% of the sells proceeds will go to Heat-Up St. Louis and the funds will stay in the respective county. Hardee’s will also provide special canister collections for the general public to drop off any amount during the entire weekend of February 12 thru 14. Larger tax-deductible donations may be given on-line at the secured web site of www.heatupstlouis.org. This year’s theme is “Have a Heart…Heat a Home.”

Also more than 400 volunteers are scheduled to serve as celebrity greeters on Friday, February 12 during the morning breakfast hours of 6:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. They will be positioned (wearing special aprons) in the dining room, drive-thru and by the menu board of each Hardee’s unit, requesting extra tax-deductible donations. Area media will also host a series of live-roadblocks from various Hardees’ locations with various drop-bys of Heat-Up St. Louis board members and other prominent civic, business and political leaders.

Heat-Up St. Louis, the all-volunteer regional utility assistance and public education charity, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. During the recent severe cold snap, Heat-Up St. Louis received an average of 210 calls per day from people seeking help with their heating bills. During January, the independent grass-roots charity received inquiries from more than 3,500 people. Through its efforts, Heat-Up and some of its 14 partnering MO/ILL agencies have aided more than 4,500 with utility restoration or help with the avoidance of shut-offs. In February those numbers of people in need are expected to double, potentially hitting 10,000 and that’s based on availability of funds.

“These are dangerous and extremely tough times, attempting to meet the awesome needs of literally thousands of needy households within our region is mind-boggling,” said Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., longtime board member and Heat-Up St. Louis’ chair emeritus. “We need to save lives, we need to keep people warm, and we need to help hundreds, who are making daunting decisions between heating their homes, eating, paying their rent, and buying their prescription drugs.”

Some celebrity greeters participating in the Feb. 12 fundraiser include Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, general campaign chair for Heat-Up St. Louis; St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, honorary board chair; St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, honorary co-chair; Joe Bommarito, vice president of the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association; St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson; Lance LeComb of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, a board member; Melanie DiLeo of Citigroup, a chairwoman; Rev. Earl E. Nance Jr. of the Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, Chair Emeritus; St. Louis Police Chief Dan Isom; Aldermanic President Lewis Reed; Lance LeComb, spokesperson for MSD; St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch; the Missouri Baptist Cheerleaders; and the Arch Rival Roller Girls. In addition, other Heat-Up St. Louis board members, local mayors, fire and law enforcement agents, state and federal officials also have been invited to participate in the 3 1/2-hour fundraiser.

“Until you visit some of these needy homes, you have no idea of the bitter cold, the emotional trauma, and the uncertainty that many of our neediest neighbors face,” said Rev. Earl Nance.

Since its inception, Heat-Up St. Louis has impacted the lives of more than 199,000 people through public education, heating grants, and referrals through the resource help hotline at 314-241-7668.

Heat-Up St. Louis officials warn that winter months have the highest incidents of home and apartment fires, often due to use of unsafe heating method in homes. Officials also urge the public to avoid stealing electric and natural gas, because it can literally blow-up in their faces — killing people, and destroying homes and apartments within the neighborhood, etc.

“It’s imperative that we never stop offering people alternatives to using space heaters as their primary heating sources,” said Melanie DiLeo, chairwoman of Heat-Up’s board of directors. “Unsafe space heaters are the primary causes of house fires.”

Potential clients who wish to qualify for energy assistance are required to provide proof of income and a photo ID, etc. Heat-Up St. Louis offers help to qualified seniors, disabled, and low-income people (based on income and health issues) in the City of St. Louis and 17 nearby Missouri and Illinois counties. Heat-Up St. Louis works with people who have been disconnected (or are in danger of becoming disconnected) from their utility services. In the City, heating grants are limited to $600; in other areas of the region, grants are limited to $250, with emergency grants upward to $300. People can only obtain Heat-Up supplement utility funds once in a fiscal year. Those needy help should call the Resource Automated Hotline at 314-241-7668, or log onto www.heatupstlouis.org

Heat-Up St. Louis representatives also stressed the importance that all Missouri residents take full advantage of the Cold Weather Rule, which prohibits shut-offs of utility service when the temperature is forecasted to drop below freezing. Residents who realize they may have problems paying their utility bills should take the first step of notifying the utility company. The Missouri Cold Weather Rule also requires utilities to notify clients about possible financial help for utility bills, prohibits disconnection of registered low-income elderly or disabled customers who make a minimum payment, and allows customers to budget their payments over 12 months. Similar arrangements may exist in Illinois.