“Our Air Conditioner Giveaway Program focuses on helping ensure our most vulnerable customers are safe during the hot summer months,” said Michael Moehn, president and CEO of Ameren Missouri. “We are proud to support Cool Down St. Louis and its partner agencies, which do an outstanding job distributing the air conditioners throughout eastern Missouri – keeping people and families safe during the hot summer months.”

Typically, the program kicks off in mid-June. This year, Ameren Missouri and Cool Down St. Louis decided to hold the event sooner – ahead of the forthcoming heat and humidity and to ensure recipients are prepared for the hot summer months.

The air conditioners are ENERGY STAR® certified units that meet the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. They cost approximately 75 cents per day to operate.

The program is supported by Cool Down St. Louis officials and supporters St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, St. Louis Interim Health Director Pamela Walker, St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, who represents the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association, and Michael P. McMillan, board of directors (Cool Down St. Louis) and president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (including St. Louis County).

“This gift by Ameren Missouri comes at a time when many seniors and people with disabilities can’t afford to stay cool. Ameren Missouri’s generosity marks a gift of life and will provide an opportunity for our seniors to remain cool and safe during the smothering summer,” Walker said. “We want our precious seniors to keep the air on, and worry about your electricity second, and if that is a problem, call our partner, Cool Down St. Louis.”

“These are challenging times for so many seniors and disabled people who are scared to ask for help,” said Jenkerson, who is co-chair of health and safety for Cool Down St. Louis. “Therefore, we need to make sure to check on our neighbors so that they can enjoy a cool and safe summer. We’re trying to stay ahead of the curve by being prepared, and thanks to Ameren Missouri, we will be ready for this smoldering heat when it arrives consistently. We want everyone to keep on the air. Since working with Cool Down, EMS will evaluate seniors and people with disabilities to see if any of these heat-related illnesses can be resolved by ensuring they have a new Ameren Missouri/Cool Down St. Louis air conditioner. The maintenance information being provided this year by Ameren Missouri is critical. Air conditioners need to be ready to serve their purpose – keeping people cool and safe. So, to all of our residents throughout the St. Louis region, please turn on the air because the life you save may be your own.”

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann also expressed appreciation of Ameren Missouri and its commitment to the program, which is in its ninth year.

“Being without a cooling source isn’t just an urban challenge,” Ehlmann said. “We want to get an early start on protecting our seniors and disabled residents as they are the most vulnerable with potential heat-related issues. The people of St. Charles are grateful for the effective teamwork of Ameren Missouri and Cool Down St. Louis and their network of partners. Because of everyone’s collective efforts, many residents in need throughout our region can now hopefully experience an enjoyable, safe and cool summer.”

“On behalf of the Urban League of Metropolitan of St. Louis, serving St. Louis County and City, and all of the Missouri agencies partnering today with Cool Down St Louis and Ameren Missouri, we want you to know that these air conditioners are in fact life-savers for hundreds of seniors and the disabled people,” said McMillan. “I wish to thank our 14-year partner Cool Down St Louis and Ameren Missouri. These are challenging times where agencies are grasping for dollars for so many human service programs. Cool Down, which started the Cooling Air Conditioning Caravan in partnership with Ameren Missouri about seven years ago, has a legacy of assuring that our fragile neighbors are protected from what could be deadly summer heat.”

“This summer, it’s important to have everyone check on their elderly and disabled neighbors to avoid heat-related illnesses,” said Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus of the regional charity. “Thanks to Ameren Missouri, we’re able to distribute thousands of our Check On Your Neighbor Cooling Cards, which are a valuable resource for those in need.”

Additionally, Cool Down St. Louis officials are reminding other area corporations and the public that they too can donate a new and slightly used air conditioner (no less than two years old) to the regional charity by dropping off a unit at any Vatterott College location. More information and locations are available at cooldownstlouis.org. Last year, Cool Down St. Louis distributed more than 1,100 donated air conditioners thanks to Ameren Missouri and the general public. If a senior or person who is disabled needs assistance, please visit the Cool Down St. Louis website or call the organization’s automated hotline at 314.241.7668.

Along with promoting heat safety and the importance of running an air conditioner during the hot summer months, Ameren Missouri invites customers to learn about its Energy Efficiency programs, which offer rebates to replace inefficient air conditioner units, AC tune-ups and refrigerator/freezer recycling. More information is available at AmerenMissouri.com/ActOnEnergy.

The money raised, so far was through the duel-efforts of the sale of Hardee’s made-from-scratch, Sausage ‘N Egg biscuit sandwiches, and tips given to 600 volunteers serving as “celebrity greeters” through more than 60 participating Hardee’s restaurants in the greater metropolitan area of Missouri and Illinois. These funds will remain in the areas collected to help qualify needy people. In addition, the City of St. Louis has awarded a $155,000 utility assistance contract through the Affordable Housing Commission in partnership with Heat-Up St, Louis and the City’s Department of Health. HUSTL will administer the distribution and qualification of city residents over the next several months. These funds are targeted throughout the St. Louis region, and the City of St. Louis respectively for the qualified seniors, disabled and needy households.

In addition tax-deductible donations can be sent Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, and St. Louis, MO 63188.

“Despite the threatening weather, Valentine’s Day was very special as we increased our volunteer efforts, and so far our canister collections and the sale of Hardee’s Sausage ‘N Egg Biscuits,” said Melanie DiLeo, Board Chairwoman. “We’re indebted to the 600 volunteers and the generosity of the public who came out to Hardee’s to support their least fortunate neighbors.”  DiLeo encourages the public to continue to give as she insists the need is far greater than what was collected today. The St. Louis Rams Football Club, NFL, AmerenMissouri, and Home State Health also made donations to the Rise and Shine campaign.

The St. Louis electronic and social media played a significant role this year.  All of the major local television networks, and radio groups, and independent radio stations provided various live-reports, or remotes from various greater St. Louis area Hardee’s.  The media also provided an enormous amount of public service announcements to pre-promote the annual fundraiser, including the local print media, who also contributed donated space.

“Being without a heating source has become a regional health and dangerous safety issue,” said Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., board chair emeritus.  “The media pounded away, the volunteers begged away, the public gave-a-way, and Hardee’s baked away, so we’re indebted for everyone’s generosity.”

The 14th Annual Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat fundraiser will primarily provide made-from-scratch Sausage ‘N Egg biscuit sandwiches for a special price of $1.00 during the breakfast hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 100% of all proceeds from that specific product will go toward helping qualified seniors, disabled and low-income families who need their winter heating restored or who are in danger of having their utilities disconnected.  In addition, about 500 volunteers serving as official greeters will accept tips and additional donations in their official Heat-Up St. Louis aprons at about 60 Hardee’s units in Missouri and Illinois.

In an effort to bolster donations and help inform the public of this drastic health and safety issue of being without utilities, area radio and television stations will broadcast live as a “road block” during various early times at Hardee’s locations where some prominent volunteers will be stationed.

“This winter’s record-cold temperatures have left many people in desperate need of energy assistance, and Heat-Up St. Louis is running on empty,” said Melanie DiLeo, chairwoman of the board of directors for the all-volunteer charity.  “We are in immediate need of funds because, as soon as donations come in one door, they often are used the same day because utility bills have become outrageously high.”

Mike Moehn, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations for Ameren Missouri is scheduled to make one of the charity’s largest one-time financial presentations to further assist Heat-Up St. Louis and its volunteer efforts.

“Truly, we’re asking everyone on this Valentine’s Day to have a heart and heat a home,” said the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus and co-chair of this year’s benefit. “The traditional cold snaps have been replaced with bone-chilling weather. This winter has become an expensive challenge for many on fixed incomes or those who just can’t afford utility service.”

All money will stay in the city or county where funds are collected. Money will also be collected in canisters on the front counter of Hardee’s as well as in tips from volunteer greeters positioned in the drive-thrus, parking lots and restaurants. Hardee’s will also expand its special canister-collection-only portion of the fundraiser through Sunday night at participating Hardee’s locations. The restaurant chain underwrites the costs of the product, aprons and other administration expenses to ensure that 100% of all sales and tips collected go to Heat-Up St. Louis.  HUSTL, in turn, partners with major social service and community action agencies to qualify the needy and keep the donations collected in their respective towns or counties.

“Winter time is traditionally the most unsafe time of the year,” said St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, vice-chair of the HUSTL health and safety committee.  “Many people, instead of paying their primary heating bills, decide to use electric space heaters, often in unsafe environments, to keep their families warm.” Jenkerson stressed that the use of unsafe methods of heating homes have often ended in tragedies and extensive property damage throughout the St. Louis region.

About 500 civic, business, media and political volunteers will serve as celebrity greeters in about 60 area participating Hardee’s restaurants, led by honorary board chair St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay;  and Heat-Up board members St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, St. Clair County Board Chair Mark Kern, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, official advocate for seniors; St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson; and newly appointed St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar, Wentzville Fire Chief Michael Marlo,  St. Louis County Councilman Steve Stenger, St. Louis City Health Director Pamela Walker; Michael J. McMillan, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby, Shannon Bagley president of Homestate Health Plan and  Heat-Up St. Louis board leadership Melanie DiLeo, Lance LeComb, Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., and Dr. James Knight.

“We’re so indebted to the hundreds of volunteers in the bi-state area who help us bring relief to those struggling with a lack of home heating in these bitterly cold temperatures,” said DiLeo. “It is truly a health and safety issue.”

Additional celebrity greeters include, but are not limited to: the St. Louis Rams, NFL Cheerleaders, St. Louis Cardinal’s Fred Bird, and the Ram’s mascot, Rampage, Arch Rival Roller Girls and employees from Citi, Monsanto, Peabody Energy, St. Louis City and St. Louis County, AFLAC, UMB Bank, and Ranken Jordan, etc. Volunteers will also be on hand from various schools and community organizations. The volunteers will all wear official Heat-Up/Hardee’s collection aprons and will accept tips from the customers, while referring them to Hardee’s employees to purchase specially priced Sausage ‘N Egg biscuit sandwiches for $1.00.

The public can also make tax-deductible donations through the charity’s virtual canister online at its secured website at: www.heatupstlouis.org, or by check or money order to Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.  A direct donation is 100% tax deductible, as prescribed by law.

In the past three months, Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc. has doled out more than $400,000 in utility assistance money within the St. Louis region. “We’re almost broke, too many people have depended on us, as we’ve become the primary safety net instead of a supplemental resource,” said Lance LeComb, board president. “But if donors look at their January natural gas or electric bills, they too will understand the financial impact.”  LeComb also pointed out that the charity provides one-time heating grants for propane, and home heating oil, as well as natural gas and electric.

Since its inception, the diverse, all-volunteer, 56-member board of directors has impacted the lives of more than 350,000 people and received more than $9.5 million in various donations. The Board of Directors routinely underwrites all administration costs so that 100% of public donations are used solely to provide utility assistance. The charity also operates a resource automated hotline at 314-241-7668, and offers online assistance through www.heatupstlouis.org.