This is one of the worst heating seasons in a long time in terms of escalated house/home fires, and people have actually died or gotten physically ill trying to stay safe and warm. The St. Louis region has experienced some infant and senior deaths, often due to unsafe method of heating their homes, with the use of space heaters.

Hardee’s will donate its Sausage and Egg and Egg biscuit products by selling them for the special price of $1.00, and 100% from the sale will benefit Heatupstlouis.org, in the bi-state area, including areas as far away as Jefferson, Lincoln, Pike, and Warren in Missouri, and Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois and other Missouri counties, including St. Louis County and St. Charles; and the City of St. Louis. Donations will stay in the communities were collected. More than 500 people from media, sports, business, first-responder, health, religious and social service communities will serve as volunteer hosts.
 
Unfortunately, contributions from this year’s unreasonably warm winter has lagged behind some previous seasons by 25-30%.  However, the requests to help Missouri and Illinois qualified seniors, disabled and low-income residents facing a lack of home heating, or a disconnection notice, continues to rise at a steady pace.  HUSTL Vice Chair Dr. James Knight, also points out that a senior or disabled person’s health can be exacerbated by not having a primary consist home heating source.

“Winter time has the highest incidents of home and apartment fires because some people attempt to use unsafe methods of heating their homes,” said St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, and co-chair of health and safety committee at Heat-Up St. Louis. “It’s important to work with the utilities and keep your primary home heating source connected, especially during the winter months, as your health and safety become more critically important to you and your family.” The Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis and the Clergy Coalition of Metropolitan St. Louis are also encouraging the public to help reduce the high numbers of those in need of utility assistance.

Hardee’s and Pioneer Restaurants, the franchise group that owns and operates the St. Louis Hardee’s Restaurants will again partner with Heatupstlouis.org (HUSTL) through its 16th Annual Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat, region-wide fundraiser on Friday, February 12, during breakfast, at bi-state area participating Hardee’s restaurants, which will assist many rural, urban and suburban needy residents in paying their high delinquent winter heating bills. DiLeo and Reverend Nance stressed that need has no geographic boundaries, and that state and federal governments can’t do it all, and volunteer partnerships like HUSTL is an ever-expanding fiscal safety net for the St. Louis region.

The St. Louis radio and television stations have been invited annually to provide live news remote coverage throughout much of the 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. breakfast period, (even though some media may start earlier, as some area Hardee’s may serve or prepare breakfast earlier).  Lance LeComb, Board President of HUSTL stressed that the media plays a dynamic role in protecting the interests of area needy households through their annual staunch support of this regional fundraiser.

“For many families in St. Clair and the surrounding Illinois counties, it has been, so far for some of our elderly, disabled and low-income people, a financially challenging winter in term of their inabilities to pay their heating bills,” said Mark Kern, St. Clair County Board Chairman, and a member of the Heat-Up St. Louis, governing board of directors.  “The annual Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat has become a godsend in its partnership with Heat-Up St. Louis, because all of the monies collected stay right here in our community.”  
In addition, volunteers will be wearing aprons at various drive-thrus, menu boards and in the dining rooms, collecting tips only on February 12. Area groups and corporations can also go online at www.heatupstlouis.org and register for pre-bulk sandwich purchases through Wednesday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m. This year, because of the need being so great, Hardee’s will expand its canister collection ONLY portion of the fundraiser through the weekend of February 12-14 on Valentine’s day.

“Being without a home heating source during this winter can trigger major health and safety issues for the most vulnerable, and Heat-Up St. Louis often serves as that safety net providing supplemental or primary grants to thousands of qualified Missouri and Illinois residents, in particular seniors and disabled people residing in St. Louis County,” said St. Louis County Executive Steven V. Stenger, a HUSTL executive board member. “For 16 years Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat, a region-wide fundraiser has been that impactful financial vehicle making it possible to keep our county residents’ utilities connected.”

Stenger, also said the strength behind this long-time regional charitable event are the 500 volunteers serving as greeters, who encourage businesses and customers to give them tips.

“Often about this time during the winter, various utility funding pots in the St. Louis region are exhausted,” said Michael Patrick McMillan, President and CEO, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.  “Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat’ fundraiser is a critical partnership with Heat-Up St Louis that has been a blessing for hundreds of qualified seniors, disabled and low-income families throughout the bi-state area waiting in line for some sort of heating assistance.”  McMillan is also a member of HUSTL executive board and his agency partners with Heat-Up St. Louis qualifying some bi-state clients.

About 500 civic, business, religious, first-responders media and political volunteers led by Steve Lemley, honorary general chair and Senior Vice President with Hardee’s corporate; Tom Trotter, Operating Partner for Pioneer Restaurants, the franchise group that owns and operates the St. Louis Hardee’s Restaurants; St. Louis County Executive Steven V. Stenger; St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann; Mark Kern, St. Clair County Board Chairman; St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay;  Michael McMillan, President and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis; noted vascular surgeon Dr. James Knight, also Health and Safety Co-Chair, HUSTL; Michael Moehn, Chairman and President of Ameren Missouri; Brian Leonard, Director of Corporate Initiatives,  Ameren Corp; St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson; Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis; J. Kim Tucci, President and Co-Partner of The Pasta House Co; St. Louis Health Director Pam Walker, Melanie DiLeo HUSTL Board Chair; Lance LeComb, Board President, HUSTL; Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., Chair Emeritus, HUSTL; Kim Tuck, President, Homestate Health Plan; and St. Charles’ Denise Liebel, Executive VP of the Heat-Up St. Louis board have been invited to contribute their volunteer time to this annual event, and serve as spokespersons the day of the event.  

Monies collected as tips from volunteers positioned in the drive-thrus, parking lots and the restaurants along with canisters on the counter will also stay in the respective city or county where collected.  Hardee’s will expand its canister collection portion of the fundraiser through the weekend of February 12-14, Valentine’s Day.

“Hardee’s and Heat-Up St. Louis have developed an incredible partnership over the past 16 years to help keep area seniors, people who are disabled, and low-income individuals warm and safe during the winter by paying their utility bills,” said St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, and honorary board chair of HUSTL. “More than 5,550 volunteers and countless more customers have continued to help make the annual Rise ‘N Shine a major success because of their generosity. Canister collections and sales of Sausage and Egg and Egg biscuits go directly to Heat-Up St. Louis and its partners, and those funds stay in their respective local communities to help our neighbors in need.”

Area Fire Chiefs and firefighters; Arch Rival Roller Girls, Monsanto, UMB Bank, Peabody Energy, CITI, Ameren Corp, Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, Ranken Jordan, Homestate Health, Hardee’s Corp, CH2M Hill, St. Louis City Health Department, St. Vincent DePaul, Northeast Community Action Agency, Community Council of St. Charles County,  students from the Academy of Sacred Hearts, Catholic Urban Programs of Southern Illinois, and Urban League of Madison County, to the Urban League of Greater St. Louis will be among those who will participate as volunteer greeters.  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 and Egg biscuit or Egg biscuit sandwiches for $1 each.  100% of those proceeds also go to Heatupstlouis.org.

The public can also make tax-deductible donations through the charity’s secured website at: www.heatupstlouis.org, or by a 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.

“Heat-Up St. Louis has played a critical role in St. Charles County, helping our most vulnerable seniors, disabled and low-income families with their winter heating bills,” said St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann and honorary board vice chair. “We depend on the generosity of our County residents and businesses to support the Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat annually. The fact that 100% of all funds collected by volunteers and the sale of a Hardee’s breakfast product effectively helps HUSTL and its social service partners impact the well-being of many of our residents each winter.”  In addition to Ehlmann, Heat-Up St Louis has four other executive board members from the St. Charles County area.

Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr. pointed out that Heat-Up St. Louis funds may often be the only source of assistance in some parts of the St. Louis region.  LIHEAP, the federal program, qualifies certain income levels, and several other utility or government programs are used with Heat-Up St. Louis grants, as a supplemental source to re-connect service or stop a disconnection notice due to the sizes of the utility bill.  However, of late, Heat-Up St. Louis has become the primary source for utility assistance, putting a financial strain on its fundraising efforts.

 “What has made our efforts of public education, advocacy and utility assistance a critical regional safety net has been the generosity of the public and the magnificent support of the electronic and print media,” said Lance LeComb, Board President of Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc. “The media realizes that being without a home heating source has become a top serious public health and safety issue that continues to negatively impact the quality of life for thousands of bi-state area residents.”  

Since its inception, the 56 member, diverse, all-volunteer board of directors has impacted the lives of more than 300,000 persons and received more than $11.5 million in various donations. The Board of Directors and corporate donors routinely underwrite year-round all administration costs, so that 100% of public donations are used solely to provide utility assistance, public education and advocacy initiatives.  The charity also operates a resource automated hotline at 314-241-7668, as well as on-line assistance through www.heatupstlouis.org.

The grant given to the charity’s “Helping Hands of Warmth,” project will provide opportunities for area qualified St. Louis County residents, who are seniors, the disabled and low income people needing help to pay down delinquent summer electric bills, or help them reconnect their natural gas services for the upcoming 2015/16 winter heating season, which begins November lst when the Cold Weather Rule is in effect. Most utility ratepayers go into the winter heating season facing summer electric bills and previous winter unpaid natural gas bills.  Heatupstlouis.org is now helping county residents with these funds through October 31, or while funding lasts.

“Government can’t do it all, but in partnership with Heatupstlouis.org and its affiliate agencies, we can help take the emotional chills away from many financially challenged county residents, and for others, ensure now that they will not have a chilly home this fall or winter, because we’ve all helped take the heat off of their very low, to-no home budgets,” said St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, who signed an agreement with Heatupstlouis.org board chairwoman Melanie DiLeo.

“Steve and St. Louis County’s financial move reflects a significant commitment by St. Louis County in the principles and good practice of humanitarian donorship, hopefully other surrounding counties will now follow the path of good government with a heart,” said Heatupstlouis.org Chairwoman Melanie DiLeo.

Also late fall and winter usually has the highest incidents of fire, due to unsafe methods of heating homes, while depending on space heaters as a primary heating source. This presents a problem for the firefighting community.

“Each year, old man winter beats down our poorest of the poor, so, today’s historic St. Louis County/Heatupstlouis.org partnership with the initial $150,000 investment is an investment in saving lives, and giving many a second chance for a safe and healthier winter. If you think you qualify, please go online to heatupstlouis.org,” said Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, representing the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association.

The St. Louis County donation was made possible through a Community Development Block Grant and has a deadline of October 31, 2015 to use all of the funds. As of Thursday’s press conference, Heatupstlouis.org has already expended about $50,000.  The individual utility grants go as high as $650 per qualified household.  Proof of residency, income, photo I.D. and a delinquent or disconnected utility bill are required for low-income households.  However, St. Louis County seniors who have kept on their air-conditioners and feel that can’t afford to pay their utility bills, don’t require a disconnection or delinquent bill

“Need has no boundaries and after these funds are gone – and they will be gone; we welcome more County government funds and encourage the generous donations from my County neighbors, who are known for their generosity, “ said Reverend C. Jessel Strong, immediate past president, the Metropolitan Clergy Coalition of Greater St. Louis and an executive board member of Heatupstlouis.org. “We’re that regional safety net, when all other funds are exhausted people can count on us in getting an earlier jump on old man winter is critical, especially families with small children and sick seniors.”

Heatupstlouis.org chairwoman Melanie DiLeo stressed that the myth that only the urban core of big cities needing utility assistance has been shattered, by the financial committed move of St. Louis County, and the fact that from October, 2014 through May, 2015 more than $6 million has been spent through federal, state and public funding sources like Heatupstlouis.org in St. Louis County alone.   St. Louis County residents who want to qualify can log-on to heatupstlouis.org or call the automated 314-241-7668 hotline, after Thursday, 12 Noon.

According to CDC, fans should never be used as a primary cooling device.  “Using an electric fan when it’s hot can actually increase your body’s heat stress,” said Pam Walker, Cooldownstlouis.org, vice chair of Health and Safety. “You may still feel a cooling sensation as the fan’s breeze evaporates your sweat, but increases in hot-air circulation and sweat evaporation can actually speed up heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion.”

Of particular concern is this statement from a recent SLMPD media advisory:  “To assist those who do not have air conditioning or who are choosing not to use air conditioning due to financial constraints, box fans will be given to senior citizens in need at the luncheon and during the meal delivery service,”

We are grateful that the Police Officers from the City of St. Louis are providing much needed free meals to at least 150 seniors and lifting their spirits. But what is always needed is educating our seniors on the importance of keeping their energy efficient air-conditioners, properly maintained, and turned on during these deadly St. Louis summer days.
We encourage the St. Louis Police Department to help us educate seniors by handing out our   Cooling Card, which provides resources to those seniors with utility and A/Cs issues.  As well as, refer seniors to us who my feel financial constraints so we can help them keep their air conditioners on or get an air conditioner if they need one. We appreciate Chief Sam Dotson joining Cooldownstlouis.org as a new board member and look forward to working with him as we reach out to educate seniors about how to keep safe in the heat.

Over the years, we have formed successful partnerships aimed to keep seniors and disabled cool and safe during the hot summer months. Cooldownstlouis.org with the help of Ameren Missouri; and drop-offs to area Vatterott Colleges which continuously accepts from the general public donations of new or slightly used A/Cs by contacting us at cooldownstlouis.org.

So far this summer more than 850 A/Cs have been donated and distributed throughout the St. Louis region and about 800 air conditioners were ENERGY STAR®-certified units, which meet the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, and cost approximately 75 cents per day to operate.

Coleman served on the Heatupstlouis.org (Cooldownstlouis.org) board of directors with distinction; compassion and diligence while a member of the Missouri legislature. As a MO legislature she sponsored the “Hot Weather Rule,” a companion to the “Cold Weather Rule,” that prevents utilities from disconnecting service of needy residential customers during summer weather extremes. Coleman appears to understand that there is a balancing act between affordability of utilities and ensuring that utility companies remain in business.

This is the third year, Missouri Public Service Commission will co-partner the 3rd Annual Heatupstlouis.org Winterizing Utility Forum in October; educating ratepayers of their rights; while weatherization, energy efficiency and utility assistance efforts are being co-sponsored in part by Ameren Missouri and others.”

The Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., board chair emeritus and Gentry W. Trotter, founder and interim executive director, Heatupstlouis.org (Cooldownstlouis.org)   

“Throughout her distinguished career in public service, Maida Coleman has demonstrated strong leadership abilities and a steadfast dedication to Missouri families,” Gov. Nixon said. “Her intelligence, integrity and experience have earned her the respect of leaders on both sides of the aisle and will make her an outstanding asset to the people of Missouri on the PSC.”

A native of Sikeston, Sen. Coleman previously served as the executive director of the Missouri Workforce Investment Board at the Department of Economic Development, where she oversaw the state’s 37 member-business-led workforce policy-making boards. From 2001 to 2009, Sen. Coleman served first as a state representative and then as state senator from St. Louis, and became the first African-American woman in state history to serve as Senate Minority Leader.

Sen. Coleman previously held management level positions at the office of the Missouri Secretary of State and the St. Louis Housing Authority. She is a former member of the board of directors of Heat-Up St. Louis/Cool Down St. Louis, a regional all-volunteer charity that provides utility assistance for the needy, advocates for Missouri and Illinois ratepayers, and does community outreach on energy efficiency and weatherization. In addition, in the early 1980s Sen. Coleman worked for the transportation division of the Public Service Commission. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

Sen. Coleman will replace Robert Kenney, who has served as a member of the PSC since July 2009 and was appointed by the Governor as its chairman in March 2013. During his tenure, Kenney emerged as a nationally-recognized leader in public utility regulation, and led the creation of the PSC’s Speakers Bureau, the annual Public Utility Law Symposium, and a dedicated Consumer Outreach and Education Specialist.

In the Senate, Sen. Coleman sponsored a “hot weather rule” to protect Missourians, particularly those who are older or low-income. A companion to the “cold weather rule,” the hot weather rule prevents utilities from disconnecting service for residential customers during summer weather extremes. She also sponsored legislation that became law to protect children from lead poisoning.

The Office of Community Engagement was created last September by the Governor to facilitate communication with Missourians and inform policy solutions for the unique challenges facing low-income and minority communities.  While at the OCE, Judge Teer has helped to develop and execute a number of successful initiatives at the Office of Community Engagement, including the Summer Job League, the Youth Empowerment Summit, and the Governor’s Collegiate Fellows program, a leadership program for at-risk youth in the St. Louis region.

Judge Teer, an attorney, previously served as the Senior Counsel of Boards & Commissions in the Office of the Governor. He served two terms as a municipal judge in the City of St. Louis from 2005 to 2013 before the Governor appointed him to serve on the Administrative Hearing Commission. He previously was assistant city counselor for St. Louis City, a Missouri assistant attorney general, and an assistant St. Louis City circuit attorney. Judge Teer serves on the Board of Curators for Lincoln University and has also held numerous leadership positions with the Mound City Bar Association. He earned his undergraduate degree from Lincoln University and his law degree from the University of Missouri.

“Over the past 10 months, the Office of Community Engagement has taken meaningful steps to foster greater economic opportunity and empowerment, especially for young people in low-income communities,” Gov. Nixon said. “I thank Marvin Teer for his strong and continued leadership in this effort, which will pay dividends for families and communities for years to come.”

The five-member Public Service Commission is responsible for deciding utility cases brought before it, and for the promulgation and enforcement of administrative rules. The PSC conducts hearings in contested cases and renders decisions in a timely manner to afford all parties procedural and substantive due process and to comply with statutory time limits. The PSC also regulates the mobile home, modular unit and recreational vehicle industries to ensure compliance with uniform manufacturer and dealer standards established for the protection of the consumer.

The Governor will be appointing Sen. Coleman for a term ending Aug. 10, 2021. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

This is the 10th year that Ameren Missouri has sponsored the giveaway in partnership with Cooldownstlouis.org, Ameren Missouri included a four-pack of 60-watt equivalent compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that when installed can save $15 annually, helping customers better manage their energy costs.

“As a company, Ameren Missouri has built our reputation on providing safe and reliable energy to 1.2 million customers in communities throughout our state. However, we also connect with communities through a variety of unique programs – such as our Air Conditioner Giveaway,” said Michael Moehn, president, Ameren Missouri. “We’re fortunate to have Cooldownstlouis.org as a dedicated partner, leading this initiative. Over the years, we have formed a successful partnership that aims to keep people cool and safe during the hot summer months. We are proud to support Cooldownstlouis.org and its partner agencies, which do an outstanding job distributing the air conditioners and CFLs to qualified recipients throughout eastern Missouri.”

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. Eligible recipients (seniors and people with disabilities only) have already been selected by Cooldownstlouis.org and its partner agencies, which uses age and certain medical circumstances to determine qualification.

The annual giveaway is supported by Cooldownstlouis.org board officials: St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay; St. Louis County Executive Steve V. Stenger; St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann; St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, who also represents the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association; Melanie DiLeo, board chair; Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., board emeritus; and Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

“Hot St. Louis summers can be worrisome and dangerous for many of our neighbors,” said St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, honorary board chair, Cooldownstlouis.org. “Seniors and people with disabilities shouldn’t have to choose between cooling their homes to a safe and comfortable temperature and putting their lives at risk if they can’t afford it. Thanks to the generosity of Ameren Missouri, Cooldownstlouis.org will be ready to help those in need by providing air conditioners to some of our most vulnerable neighbors. Please help us by checking on your neighbors and letting them know that resources are available to help them.”

If you are a senior or person with disabilities and need help, visit Cooldownstlouis.org or call the automated hotline at 241.7668. Along with making the donation, Ameren Missouri also provided critically important maintenance instructions with each unit.

“Now that Ameren Missouri has given us this wonderful opportunity, we need to get our elderly and disabled people to have their relatives make sure they keep the air on this summer, by visiting them,” said Melanie DiLeo, Cooldownstlouis.org board chair. “We all need to make sure that AC units are properly maintained. Additionally, these energy efficient light bulbs that are being handed out today are a smart way for us all to become more energy efficient. Affordability has always been an issue with our seniors, and the combination of these donated units and light bulbs will make a significant difference.”

As part of the Cooldownstlouis.org S.O.S. project, officials are reminding other area corporations and the public that they too can donate a new or slightly used air conditioner (no less than two years old) to the regional charity by dropping off a unit at any Vatterott College campus. More information and locations are available at Cooldownstlouis.org.

“This significant gift of 540 ENERGY STAR air conditioners by Ameren Missouri comes at a time when many St. Louis County seniors and people with physical disabilities can’t afford to stay cool this summer. Ameren Missouri’s generosity marks a gift of life and will provide an opportunity for our seniors to remain healthy and safe during the smothering summer,” said St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, honorary vice chair, Cooldownstlouis.org. “We also want to remind our seniors who have AC units throughout the St. Louis region, in particular St. Louis County, to keep the air on and worry about your electricity second. If that is a problem, call us or go online to Cooldownstlous.org. We want to avoid as many heat-related incidents as humanly possible.”

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, honorary co-chair, Cooldownstlouis.org, also expressed appreciation of Ameren Missouri and its commitment to the annual distribution.

“‘Need knows no geographic boundaries’ – that is our Cooldownstlouis.org’s new motto.  That is certainly true, especially for St. Charles County we service annually. Ameren Missouri’s gift of life is going to help us protect our seniors and physically 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 Cooldownstlouis.org and their network of agency partners. Because of everyone’s collective efforts, many vulnerable residents in need throughout our region can hopefully experience a safer and cooler summer. If you want to donate from St. Charles County please go online to Cooldownstlouis.org, where 100% of all public donations actually go towards helping our residents. If you want to join Ameren, you can drop-off a new or slightly used A/C unit at a Vatterott college campus.”

“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 Cooldownstlouis.org and Ameren Missouri, we want you to know that these air conditioners are in fact life-savers for hundreds of seniors and people with physical disabilities. There just isn’t any other way to say it. Life-savers if we also check on our neighbors to ensure they keep these AC units working and on,” said Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. “Many agencies are strapped for cash and have the inability to purchase brand new units. Cooldownstlouis.org’s creation of the Cooling Air Conditioning Caravan, in partnership with Ameren Missouri, has a legacy of assuring that our fragile neighbors are protected from what could be deadly summer heat. We’re going to take these units to our respective cities and counties, and put them into the use of hopefully saving lives and avoiding heat-related illnesses.”

“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., board emeritus. “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.”

Nance indicated that area clergy, including the Clergy Coalition of Greater St. Louis, City/County human services, and health departments have been asked to distribute these cooling cards to thousands of area residents who are seeking assistance or cooling advice as part of the S.O.S. project.

“We do a lot of EMS heat-related runs during the summer months, and these gifts from Ameren to Cooldownstlouis.org, over the years have truly been invaluable for our City seniors and disabled residents,” said Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, representing the Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis and Cooldownstlouis.org co-chair of health and safety. “Need certainly knows no boundaries, and throughout the region people are in desperate need of A/Cs and utility assistance.  Thanks to Ameren we can begin to meet those needs and the public can help us by their generous donations to support seniors and disabled people.”

Last year, Cooldownstlouis.org distributed more than 1,200 donated air conditioners thanks to Ameren Missouri and the general public. If a senior or person with disabilities needs assistance, please visit the Cooldownstlouis.org website or call the organization’s automated hotline at 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.

“Please pay something on your utility bills, and always call your local utility and tell them of your inability to pay to avoid disconnection notice during these harsh winter days,” said Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus of Heatupstlouis.org. “However, we encourage those people in the bi-state area to also seek help, and not be embarrassed and end up using unsafe methods of heating their homes, like space heaters as a primary heating source.”  In Missouri the CWR (Cold Weather Rule) prohibits disconnections when the temperature is predicted to drop below 32 degrees. Heatupstlouis.org also provides primary warming shelter locations on its website. Rev. Nance insists that the charity still needs more tax-deductible donations.

Heatupstlouis.org wants you to also check on elderly and disabled neighbors, as well as keep pets indoors. Those in need of utility assistance based on low income, health, senior, and disabled status, who haven’t been helped since January 1, 2015, should log-on to www.heatupstlouis.org, if they have computer accessibility or call the automated regional hotline at 314-241-7668.

Tax-deductible donations may also be sent via www.heatupstlouis.org; or Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc. c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188. The charity is governed by a regional, all-volunteer 56 member board of directors.

Heat-Up St. Louis is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and since its inception in 2000 it has impacted the lives of more than 300,000 and received more than $11 million in various levels of donations. 100% of all public donations are strictly used for servicing the needs of qualified seniors, disabled and low-income families. This is an exception unlike most other charities, who take donations for salaries, and operations, etc.

Winter time has the highest rates of home fires, that’s because many people use heaters as their primary source to stay warm, and that can be proven dangerous.  Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, representing the Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis, is also co-chairman of the Health and Safety Committee for heatupstlouis.org, along with noted vascular surgeon Dr. James Knight.

It has raised $280,000 from the generosity of the public who dropped off donations to 650 volunteers, serving as greeters at area Hardee’s restaurants on Friday, February 13, 2015. This fundraising effort raised about 50% more versus the 2014 campaign.  In addition 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the Hardee’s Sausage ‘N Egg biscuits, went to the regional charity to help qualified seniors, disabled and low-income people with their high winter heating bills.  Monies collected in specific MO/IL counties will remain there to help qualified needy residents through the heatupstlouis.org social service network.

“We are overjoyed with the generosity of the public, Hardee’s, the ‘caring’ St. Louis media, and the volunteers for helping to keep their neighbors warm,” said Melanie DiLeo, Chairwoman, Board of Directors, Heat-Up St. Louis. “Without neighbors helping neighbors, we could experience more health and safety issues, as being without a heating source continues to be very dangerous.”

If anyone wishes to make a larger tax-deductible donation, they may do so by logging onto www.heatupstlouis.org or sending a check or money order to HEAT-UP ST. LOUIS INC., c/o UMB BANK, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.

Heatupstlouis.org is taking requests from qualified seniors, disabled and low-income households by logging onto www.heatupstlouis.org or by calling the automated hotline at 314-241-7668.

“Winter time has the highest incidents of home and apartment fires because some people attempt to use unsafe methods of heating their homes,” said St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, and co-chair of health and safety committee at Heat-Up St. Louis. “It’s important to work with the utilities and keep your primary home heating source connected, especially during the winter months, as your health and safety become more critically important to you and your family.” The Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis and the Clergy Coalition of Metropolitan St. Louis are also encouraging the public to help reduce the high numbers of those in need of utility assistance.  

Hardee’s Food Systems, will again partner with Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., (HUSTL) through its 15th Annual Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat, region-wide fundraiser on Friday, February 13, during breakfast, at bi-state area participating Hardee’s restaurants, which will assist many rural, urban and suburban needy residents in paying their high delinquent winter heating bills. DiLeo stressed that need has no geographic boundaries, and that state and federal governments can’t do it all, and volunteer partnerships like HUSTL is an ever-expanding fiscal safety net for the St. Louis region. Hardee’s officials insist their annual partnership project with Heat-Up St. Louis is about “neighbors helping neighbors.”

“Heat-Up St. Louis has played a critical role in St. Charles County, helping our most vulnerable seniors, disabled and low-income families with their winter heating bills,” said St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann and honorary board vice chair. “We depend on the generosity of our County residents and businesses to support the Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat annually. The fact that 100% of all funds collected by volunteers and the sale of a Hardee’s breakfast product effectively helps HUSTL and its social service partners impact the well-being of many of our residents each winter.”  In addition to Ehlmann, Heat-Up St Louis has four other executive board members from the St. Charles County area.

Hardee’s will donate its Sausage ‘N Egg biscuit product by selling it for the special price of $1.00, and 100% from the sale will benefit Heat-Up St Louis, Inc., and about 10 of its partnering social service agencies in the bi-state area, including as far away as Jefferson, Lincoln, Pike, and Warren counties.  Hardee’s in Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois and other Missouri counties, including St. Louis County and St. Charles; and the City of St. Louis are also a part of the annual fundraiser.  

“For many families in St. Clair and the surrounding Illinois counties, it has been, so far for some of our elderly, disabled and low-income people, a financially challenging winter in term of their inabilities to pay their heating bills,” said Mark Kern, St. Clair County Board Chairman, and a member of the Heat-Up St. Louis, governing board of directors.  “The annual Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat has become a godsend in its partnership with Heat-Up St. Louis, because all of the monies collected stay right here in our community.”

In addition to volunteers who will be wearing aprons or an official gold volunteer pin at various drive-thrus, menu boards and in the dining rooms, collecting tips only on February 13; area groups and corporations can also go online at www.heatupstlouis.org and register for pre-bulk sandwich purchases through Thursday, February 12 at 10:00 a.m. This year, because of the need being so great, Hardee’s will expand its canister collection ONLY portion of the fundraiser through the weekend of February 14-15.

“Being without a home heating source during this winter can trigger major health and safety issues for the most vulnerable, and Heat-Up St. Louis often serves as that safety net providing supplemental or primary grants to thousands of qualified Missouri and Illinois residents, in particular seniors and disabled people residing in St. Louis County,” said St. Louis County Executive Steven V. Stenger, a new HUSTL board member. “For 15 years Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat, a region-wide fundraiser has been that impactful financial vehicle making it possible to keep our county residents’ utilities connected.”

Stenger, also said the strength behind this long-time regional charitable event are the 600 volunteers serving as greeters, who encourage businesses and customers to give them tips, as they are also directed to obtain a Sausage ‘N Egg biscuit product, in exchange for a $1 from a Hardee’s crew member, at the counter or drive-thru window.  All proceeds are then donated to Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc.

The St. Louis radio and television stations have been invited to provide live news and remote coverage throughout much of the 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. breakfast period, (even though some media may start earlier, as some area Hardee’s may serve or prepare breakfast earlier).  Lance LeComb, Board President of HUSTL stressed that the media plays a dynamic role in protecting the interests of area needy households through their annual staunch support of this regional fundraiser.

“Often about this time during the winter, various utility funding pots in the St. Louis region are exhausted,” said Michael Patrick McMillan, President and CEO, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.  “ ‘Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat’ fundraiser is a critical partnership with Heat-Up St Louis that has been a blessing for hundreds of qualified seniors, disabled and low-income families throughout the bi-state area waiting in line for some sort of heating assistance.”  McMillan is also a member of HUSTL executive board and his agency partners with Heat-Up St. Louis qualifying some bi-state clients.

About 600 civic, business, media and political volunteers led by Steve Lemley, honorary general chair and Senior Vice President with Hardee’s; Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, St. Louis County Executive Steven V. Stenger, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, Mark Kern, St. Clair County Board Chairman; St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay,  Michael McMillan, President and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, noted vascular surgeon Dr. James Knight, also Health and Safety Co-Chair, HUSTL; Michael Moehn, Chairman and President of Ameren Missouri; Brian Leonard, Director of Corporate Initiatives,  Ameren Corp; St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar, Rams’ Kevin Demoff; J. Kim Tucci, President and Co-Partner of The Pasta House Co;  St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson, St. Louis Health Director Pam Walker, Melanie DiLeo HUSTL Board Chair, Lance LeComb, Board President, HUSTL, Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., Chair Emeritus, HUSTL , Dr. Bernard Shore, Medical Director, Homestate Health Plan and Denise Liebel, Executive VP of the Heat-Up St. Louis board will contribute their volunteer time to this annual event, and serve as spokespersons the day of the event.

Monies collected as tips from volunteers positioned in the drive-thrus, parking lots and the restaurants along with canisters on the counter will also stay in the respective city or county where collected.  Hardee’s will expand its canister collection portion of the fundraiser through the weekend of February 13-15.

“Hardee’s and Heat-Up St. Louis have developed an incredible partnership over the past 15 years to help keep area seniors, people who are disabled, and low-income individuals warm and safe during the winter by paying their utility bills,” said St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, and honorary board chair of HUSTL. “More than 5,000 volunteers and countless more customers have continued to help make the annual Rise ‘N Shine a major success because of their generosity. Canister collections and sales of Sausage ‘N Egg biscuits go directly to Heat-Up St. Louis and its partners, and those funds stay in their respective local communities to help our neighbors in need.”

Fire Chief Chuck Marsonette of Monarch Fire District; the St. Louis Rams’ NFL Cheerleaders and staff,  St. Louis Cardinals’ Fred Bird, Rampage, the Rams’ mascot, and volunteers from Arch Rival Roller Girls, Monsanto, AFLAC, UMB Bank, Peabody Energy, CITI, Ranken Jordan, St. Louis County officials,  Homestate Health, Hardee’s, CH2M Hill, St. Louis City Health Department, St. Vincent DePaul, Northeast Community Action Agency, Community Council of St. Charles County,  students from the Academy of Sacred Hearts, Catholic Urban Programs of Southern Illinois, Urban League of Madison County, and Urban League of Greater St. Louis will participate as celebrity greeters.  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 each.

The public can also make tax-deductible donations through the charity’s 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.

Heat-Up St. Louis oversees and approves all of the applicants, who are being qualified by its bi-state partnering agencies, and those who come through its website or resource hotline in Missouri and Illinois. However, HUSTL also partners throughout the year, providing public education on energy efficiency, budgeting and referrals in concert with its partnering agencies, including Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, Cuivre River Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Laclede Gas, etc. to help low-income ratepayers. Checks on Your Neighbors and Vatterott S.O.S. projects are also part of its summer efforts via Cool- Down St. Louis.

Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr. pointed out that Heat-Up St. Louis funds may often be the only source of assistance in some parts of the St. Louis region.  LIHEAP, the federal program, qualifies certain income levels, and several other utility or government programs are used with Heat-Up St. Louis grants, as a supplemental source to re-connect service or stop a disconnection notice due to the sizes of the utility bill.  However, of late, Heat-Up St. Louis has become the primary source for utility assistance, putting a financial strain on its fundraising efforts. Heat-Up St. Louis in partnership with the St. Louis Health Department and The Affordable Housing Trust Fund also manages the city’s utility assistance distribution program.

While this press release was issued on a bitter cold snowy winter day in January, Rev. Nance reminds the public: “Don’t let the often unseasonably warm weather fool you,” said the Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus and co-chair of this year’s benefit. “The cold snaps within the past 30 days have kept those furnaces running, often day and night, posing an expensive challenge for many on fixed incomes, or those who just can’t afford utility service.”

Hardee’s has partnered with Heat-Up St. Louis for the past 15 years. The quick-service chain also 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 services and community action agencies to qualify the needy and keep the donations collected in their respective towns or counties.

“What has made our efforts of public education, advocacy and utility assistance a critical regional safety net has been the generosity of the public and the magnificent support of the electronic and print media,” said Melanie DiLeo, Board Chairwoman of Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc. “The media realizes that being without a home heating source has become a top serious public health and safety issue that continues to negatively impact the quality of life for thousands of bi-state area residents.”

Since its inception, the 56 member, diverse, all-volunteer board of directors has impacted the lives of more than 300,000 persons and received more than $10 million in various donations. The Board of Directors and corporate donors routinely underwrite year-round 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, as well as on-line assistance through www.heatupstlouis.org.