Ameren Charitable Trust Foundation made a $50,000 gift to the regional safety net (HUSTL), at Ameren Missouri headquarters in downtown St. Louis. Ameren has continued to support Heat-Up St. Louis efforts during winter months as well as summer months through its sister program, Cool-Down St. Louis.

“The Gift of Warmth” fundraising project was created to ensure that many needy households during this winter could not be disconnected during the holiday. The fundraiser goes through January 7, 2011, and anyone who wishes to donate may, by going on-line to: www.heatupstlouis.org, or sending a tax-deductible donation to Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.

“Ameren continues to take a leadership role as a good corporate citizen,” said St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, who also serves as honorary chair of this bi-state area charity. “This year, because of the significant reduction in LIHEAP, the federally-funded home heating program, every dollar will be needed to ensure, that the most vulnerable stay safe and warm. We appreciate Ameren’s gift of warmth.”

Through its annual grant, Ameren helps Heat-Up St. Louis continue with its public education and conservation outreach through its “Check On Your Neighbors” on-line and community outreach project, distribution of Cool-Down Cooling Cards, new air-conditioners, a 24-hour automated help hotline, and emergency utility grants throughout the year.

“We’re proud to partner with Heat-Up St. Louis, they do good charitable work throughout the region,” said Richard Mark, senior vice president of customer operations, for Ameren Missouri. “Hopefully, our funds will help them continue with their progressive approach to help educate the general public, especially those needy households who have small budgets that are financially challenging.”

This past year, the charity has reported that it has so far impacted the lives of about 75,000 individuals either through on-line and phone-bank counseling and referrals, one-time supplemental utility assistance grants, or the installation of brand new air-conditioners.

“This has been a tremendous and challenging year for us, and thank God for the charitable hearts of Ameren’s gift of warmth. It has come at time when thousands of area needy households are short on dollars to pay their winter utility bills, and their local natural gas bills appear to be skyrocketing off-the-charts,” said the Reverend Earl. E. Nance, Jr., co-chair of the utility assistance committee.

Heat-Up St. Louis officials also remind the general public of their obligations to make payments on their winter heating bills, despite the Cold Weather Rule, which prohibits disconnection of utility services from November through March, based on the temperature above freezing, and certain commitments made by the ratepayers. “Ameren Missouri also has bills and employees, so it’s only fair, to attempt to pay something on your bill, even though you might seek assistance,” said Nance.

Anyone, who is a senior, disabled person, or low-income, who hasn’t already received utility assistance this year, is encouraged to go on-line at www.heatupstlouis.org, or call 314-241-7668 for a partnering social services agency nearest them, who may have LIHEAP, or Heat-Up St. Louis, and Ameren’s Dollar-More funds.

On Sunday, Cool Down St. Louis officials joined Mayor Francis G. Slay, Alderman Shane Cohen and Health Director Pamela Walker and others as they went door-to-door with local firefighters in checking on senior neighbors in the Dutchtown neighborhood of South City.  Mayor Slay was informing the neighbors in the 4400 block of 39th Street to take precautions and if they needed an air-conditioner or utility assistance to contact, its City partner, Cool Down St. Louis at 314-241-7668 or www. cooldownstlouis.org. Cool Down St. Louis also operates in about 15 other Missouri and Illinois counties through its social service partners.

Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus of Cool Down St. Louis also encouraged additional  out outreach efforts by area congregations of all faiths in Missouri and Illinois to take the time and check on their elderly and disabled members.

“The Church is the first line of defense, in getting the message out that the heat will drain you dry and kill you dead, if  you’re not careful,” said Reverend Nance, Jr.  “Seniors need not panic, keep your air-conditioners and electricity on, and worry later about paying the bills.” The charity will also operate a newly instituted on-line “Check On Your Neighbors” project at cooldownstlouis.org.

Cool Down St. Louis Volunteers and area congregations will contribute to distribute the official Cool Down St. Louis Cooling Cards, which aids in directing area seniors, the disabled and low-income households with small children to air-conditioners, utility assistance and cooling centers in their respective areas.

This summer through the end of September, 2011, area Vatterott Colleges will continue to take slightly used, (no more than 2 years old), and brand new air-conditioners and will receive a tax-deductible receipt.   The general public can still drop-off their units during regular business offices Monday through Friday, and the Vatterott Colleges will inspect the units for usability and then help distribute to households in need.

100% of all public donations are used solely to provide services to the area needy.  Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188, www.cooldownstlouis.org, or by dropping off a donation in any sizes to any bank teller at any Missouri or Illinois UMB Bank Center.

Area residents who wish to qualify for energy assistance being provided by Cool Down St. Louis should call 314-241-7668 or go on-line to cooldownstlouis.org.

Voss was honored June 21 at the Heat-Up St. Louis, 13th annual business meeting of its board of directors at the Jewel Box in Forest Park.

“Tom Voss has readily and unselfishly used his role as chairman, president and CEO of Ameren to inspire others within his profession and in the general public to volunteer and be fully engaged in community involvement including charitable efforts in the area of youth enrichment, arts, and education and utility assistance projects,” said Gentry W. Trotter, founder and chief operating officer.  “Tom’s dynamic leadership promotes diversity, which further propels Ameren to the top as a good corporate citizen in Missouri and Illinois.”

“Ameren continues to help educate thousands through energy conservation. Ameren’s commitment to renewable energy technology is not only to be highly commended, but will allow the company to continue to provide environmentally-responsible power for thousands of energy users,” said J. Kim Tucci, chairman of the Heat-Up St. Louis Awards Committee.

Last week Ameren donated 150 air conditioner units to the 12 year-old, all-volunteer, charitable   organization’s summer assistant program, Cool-Down St. Louis, which distributed them to disabled and elderly customers throughout the St. Louis region.

“We considered those units as life-preservers, for so many senior and disabled households this summer,” said Lance LeComb, president, board of directors. Since 2006, more than 550 air conditioners have been donated through the program.

“Heat-Up St. Louis is a wonderful asset within our community with 100 percent of all public donations helping those in need,” Voss said. “Ameren has a rich tradition of giving back to the communities we serve – it is a vital component of our corporate culture and our promise, Focused Energy. For Life.”

Recently  the regional, not-for-profit, all-volunteer energy assistance and public education charity announced that Hardee’s Food Systems, Citi, and Vatterott Educational Centers and the general public on-line ( www.cooldownstlouis.org) within a week made donations exceeding more than $22,000 in emergency grants, which will help the charity provide at least 110 brand new additional air-conditioners. The announcement took place at the North County, Vatterott Educational Center.

“We are about saving lives in our region, and extreme heat and humidity kills people, the elderly and disabled are especially at risk,” said Lance LeComb, president of the all-volunteer board of directors for Cool Down St. Louis. “We are asking our community to pull together and help those who are the most victimized by extreme heat and only by pulling together and helping each other will we be able to combat heat related fatalities this summer.”

During the recent two-week cycle of blistering heat, Cool Down St. Louis reportedly purchased and distributed about 85 air-conditioners.  The charity also announced its S.O.S (Saving Our Seniors) project with area Vatterott Educational Centers. New or slightly used air-conditioners less than two-years old can be dropped-off, at any of the Vatterott locations, during regular business hours. The donor will receive a receipt for tax contribution purposes.

The charity is also announcing an “Adopt-A-Family” project, where Cool Down St. Louis is taking on-line donations at www.cooldownstlouis.org. 100% of all donations will provide utility assistance to a qualified senior or disabled person. The donor will also receive a free Cool Down membership.  In addition to the on-line site, tax-deductible donations can also be mailed to: Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.

“While we deeply appreciate the efforts of these good-hearted corporations and the general public, this is a drop in the bucket in what we actually will need to continue to fight the suffocating and potentially deadly summer,” said Melanie DiLeo, chairwoman, board of directors of Cool Down St. Louis and Missouri State Director for CITI.

Cool Down officials also announced that its working with the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition and their partners to begin another “Check On Your Neighbor” referral program.  This summer anyone who knows of a senior, or disabled person, who needs a new or slightly used air-conditioner may report it on-line at www.cooldownstlouis.org, or call the Cool Down Automated hotline at 314-241-7668. The same goes for any needy families with small ill children, who are facing utility shut-offs.

“These are hard times with gasoline at the pumps being outrageously high, and the increase in the cost of food at your grocery store,” said the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr. “It’s imperative that we check on our elderly and disabled neighbors.”

St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, a member of the Greater St. Louis Fire Chiefs Association, announced that his EMS division will also distribute air-conditioners, if it is determined there is a need during his crews’ medical emergency runs.

“Being without a cooling source is emotionally and physically devastating for thousands of seniors and the disabled in need during summer months,” said Chief Jenkerson.

Cool Down St. Louis has become the only local source for the distribution of new or slightly used air-conditioners through Vatterott Educational Centers.  Last summer more than 1,350 units were donated by the general public and various corporations. More than 6,500 people’s lives were impacted through utility assistance or air-conditioning distribution.

The charity is deeply concerned that the current economic environment may affect air-conditioner and financial donations this summer. The charity will continue its appeals to corporations, organizations and individuals who want to join its efforts as the regional safety net, keeping area qualified residents cool and health.

Also, the regional charity was officially notified today that the City of St. Louis has given it a $152,000 grant to help local qualified seniors, disabled and low-income people with their winter utility bills. The grant was made possible through the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Due to the shortage of funds from a federal energy assistance program; and the Utilicare program in Missouri not being funded, so far this year, Hardee’s is extending a special ONLY canister collection drive in its units through Monday, at 2:00 p.m. in Missouri and Illinois.

Larger tax-deductible donations may still be given on-line at the secured website at www.heatupstlouis.org, or by making a check payable to Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.   To qualify for utility assistance, you must be an elderly, disabled and low-income person, and should call 314-241-7668 or log-on to www.heatupstlouis.org.

Melanie DiLeo, board chairwoman of the all-volunteer board of directors expressed sincere appreciation to St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay for his faith in Heat-Up St. Louis’ ability to serve as a critical safety net for the region, and the overwhelming generosity of Hardee’s and its customers, and the unprecedented enthusiastic support of all of the area’s electronic media with live remotes and cut-ins stories during the breakfast time period at Hardee’s, as well as heavy PSA and print support.

Since, January, the bi-state utility assistance and public education charity has also had direct requests and appeals from its partnering agencies of more than $250,000, but it has been able to help with only $100,000, leaving the need to collect $150,000 from the general public. For the first time in its existence, HUSTL’s winter on-line and UMB donations are off by seventy-five percent, causing it to dip into some special administrative funds which keep the programs of the year around charity operating in the black.

On Friday morning, February 10, from 6:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., about 550 volunteers, who are public and elected officials, social service agency representatives, civic and corporate leaders will serve as celebrity greeters in the 12th Annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat-Up benefit, in about 60 area Missouri and Illinois area Hardee’s restaurants. The monies collected in either Illinois or Missouri municipalities will remain in those respectively communities needing help. The celebrity greeters will be asking customers for additional donations in their Heat-Up special breakfast aprons. The fast-food chain will also donate its Sausage and Egg Biscuit product, at a special reduced price of $1.00, and 100% of the sells proceeds will go to Heat-Up St. Louis for distribution.

“Don’t let this weather fool you, even when temperatures hover in the 30s, frail seniors, the disabled and households with small children need that protection of warmth,” said Lance LeComb, board president. “We understand that the economy continues to be a challenge for everyone, especially those are making daunting decisions between heating their homes, eating, paying their rent, and buying their groceries.”

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 state and local political leaders, including St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, Clayton Fire Chief Mark Thorp, president of the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, MO Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, Dr. James Knight, HUSTL board president Lance LeComb; St. Louis Fire and Police Chiefs, Dennis Jenkerson and Daniel Isom, respectively, Arch Rival Roller Girls, St. Louis Rams cheerleaders, sports mascots Cardinals Firebird, Rams’ Rampage and first-responders, who cover house fires where residents often use unsafe methods in heating their homes. Despite the unseasonably cool winter so far, there have been numerous house fires throughout the St. Louis region, where unsafe methods of heating may have been a contributing factor.  Citi, Peabody Energy, Monsanto, AFLAC, CH2M Hill, and Hardee’s employees are also among the hundreds of volunteers.

This year, Hardee’s will also provide special canister collections for the general public to drop-off any amount during the entire weekend of February 11 thru 12. Larger tax-deductible donations may be given on-line at the secured website of www.heatupstlouis.org. This year’s theme is “Have a

Heart…Heat a Home,” and is dedicated to the charity’s chair emeritus, the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., who is currently recuperating from a massive heart attack.

“One of the most significant ascertainments of a top community problem continues to be the affordability of utilities,” said Melanie DiLeo, board chairman. “Thanks to the St. Louis media they continue to address the problem of being without a home heating source, as it has become a community-wide health and safety issue, reaching beyond the poverty level.”

Heat-Up St. Louis, the all-volunteer regional utility assistance and public education charity, celebrates its 12th anniversary later this year. During a recent cold snap, Heat-Up St. Louis received an average of 650 calls per day from people still seeking help with their heating bills. So far during the month of January, the independent grass-roots charity and its 14 social service partners have been able to impact the lives of more than 7,500 people with utility restoration or help with the avoidance of shut-offs.

“Until you have visited some of these needy homes, you have no idea of the emotional trauma, and the uncertainty that many of our neediest neighbors face when they get that disconnection notice,” said DiLeo.

Since its inception, Heat-Up St. Louis has impacted the lives of more than 275,000 people through public education, heating grants, and referrals through the resource help hotline at 314-241-7668. Larger donations may be sent to Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188, or www.heatupstlouis.org.

It’s imperative that we never stop offering people alternatives to using space heaters as their primary heating sources,” said DiLeo. “Unsafe space heaters are the primary causes of house fires during winter.” Wintertime has the highest incidents of home fires, often due to unsafe methods being used to heat homes and apartments.

During the 10th Annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat-Up benefit, on Friday, February 11, there will be a record-breaking 497 volunteers serving as celebrity hosts in more than 60 area Missouri and Illinois area Hardee’s 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. Last year, the charity received in a matter of a few hours $75,000 with an additional $10,000 from employees from GMAC Insurance.

The fast-food chain donates its Sausage and Egg Biscuit product, at a special price of $1.00, and 100% of the 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 13. Larger tax-deductible donations may be given on-line at the secured website at www.heatupstlouis.org, or by making a check payable to Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.

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 11th anniversary this year. During the current severe winter weather, Heat-Up St. Louis received an average of 150 calls per day from people seeking help with their heating bills.

During January, the independent grass-roots charity actually assisted a record 4,000 qualified people. Through its efforts, Heat-Up and some of its15 partnering MO/ILL agencies have aided more than 8,500 with utility restoration or help with the avoidance of shut-offs since November of 2010. By the middle of March, those numbers of people in need are expected to double, potentially hitting 15,000, due to the constant bone-chilly cold weather.

“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 non-media celebrity hosts participating in the February 11 fundraiser including 60 volunteers from the St. Louis Rams, including Rampage and cheerleaders, MO. State Senator Robin Wright Jones, MO Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, (general campaign chair); St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay,(honorary board chair); St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley (vice chair); Joe Bommarito, vice president, Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis; AFLAC, Arch Rival Roller Girls, Cardinals’ Fred Bird, St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson; HUSTL board president, Lance LeComb of MSD, St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch, Citi’s Melanie DiLeo, chairwoman of Heat-Up St. Louis; Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, Collector of Revenue Greg F.X. Daly, Dr. James Knight, Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus and area local Mayors, fire and law enforcement officials, and a few state and federal officials pending.

“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 Melanie DiLeo.

Since its inception, Heat-Up St. Louis has impacted the lives of more than 225,000 people through public education, heating grants, and referrals through the resource help hotline at 314-241-7668, and its Check On Your Neighbor On-Line project at www.heatupstlouis.org.

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  Lance LeComb, board president 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 $350; in other areas of the region, grants are limited to $250, with emergency grants upward to $250. 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. This winter 2011, there is a new temporary natural gas equipment repair service, to see who qualifies and more details can be obtained through www.heatupstlouis.org.