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In 2018, approximately $1 million will be allocated to Ameren Missouri’s energy-assistance partners – including Heat-Up St. Louis and Heat-Up Missouri – to provide immediate energy assistance dollars to customers impacted by this summer’s extreme temperatures. The remaining $4 million will be administered by Ameren Missouri’s community partners through 2020 for additional energy-assistance programs and long-term sustained energy improvements, such as weatherization support and equipment repair. This Energy Outreach program from Ameren Missouri comes from corporate earnings and is not charged to customers.

“This has been one of the hottest summers in our region’s history, and we know we have customers who have struggled,” said Michael Moehn, president of Ameren Missouri. “With this program, we are providing immediate relief to our neighbors with limited means. The program is also designed to make a larger, longer-term impact for these customers by giving them access to new and expanded programs to help them better manage their energy usage and reduce their energy costs going forward.”

“The unveiling of Ameren Missouri’s Energy Outreach Program is a welcome relief for seniors, physically disabled and the working poor in Ameren’s service area,” said Melanie DiLeo, Board Chairwoman, Heat-Up St. Louis and Heat-Up Missouri. “Many of our state’s financially challenged neighbors often wrestle with grocery, housing, medical and utility bills, especially after a bitter winter and scorching summer. Ameren’s effort may give them a chance to breathe from their crisis.”

Heat-Up’s summer program, Cool Down, has received since May more than 78,485 energy assistance online and hotline inquiries from Missouri residents alone.

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the cost of heating or cooling a home is about three times higher for low-income customers than other households. In addition to providing immediate relief with energy-assistance funds, the Ameren program aims to make it possible for low-income customers ineligible for current federal assistance to get the help they need to make improvements to reduce their energy use.

Ameren’s statewide $5 million in contributions over a multiyear period include:
• $2.5 million over three years to support Ameren Missouri customers throughout the entire service territory with crisis energy assistance to combat extreme temperatures, such as the heat wave that Missouri experienced this summer. Many of these programs will include expanded eligibility to reach even more customers in the moderate and limited income areas.
• $2.5 million over three years for weatherization support and new sustainability programs, including subsidizing the cost for energy efficiency-related home improvement and equipment repairs.

To see if they qualify for energy assistance funds, Ameren Missouri customers can:
• Contact Heat-Up St. Louis and Heat-Up Missouri online by visiting heatupstlouis.org and heatupmissouri.org for immediate crisis energy assistance.
• Contact their local weatherization agency or the United Way at 2-1-1 for new weatherization support and sustainability program assistance.

The $5 million commitment comes just weeks after the 6 percent drop in rates for all Ameren Missouri customers, effective Aug. 1. The rate cut is the first benefit customers received as part of Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan, made possible by legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly and swift action by the Missouri Public Service Commission.

“Providing secure, reliable and affordable energy to our customers across the state is at the heart of what we do,” said Moehn. “We’re grateful to our state leaders who supported the rate cut and to our many energy assistance partners who work tirelessly in the community. We’re hopeful our donation and efficiency efforts will have a positive, lasting impact on the communities we serve.”

To learn more about Ameren’s Energy Outreach program and other energy assistance resources, customers can go to AmerenMissouri.com/energyassistance.

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri’s mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

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Dangerous levels of heat and humidity are expected to continue during the afternoon hours each day of the warning resulting in heat index values peaking between 103 and 107 degrees each afternoon.   Most at risk for heat related illness are the very young, the elderly, those without air conditioning, and those participating in strenuous outdoor activities.

The City of St. Louis Department of Health is warning residents to take extra precautions if they will be working or spending time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to the early morning or evening.

The Department of Health is also encouraging residents to check on seniors, homebound, and neighbors.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Heat exhaustion is the most common heat-related illness · Heat exhaustion results in elevated body temperature and dehydration  · Symptoms include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness or fainting, headache, nausea or vomiting · If symptomatic, rest, loosen clothing, take a cool shower, drink cool water and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour

Heat stroke occurs when the body’s core temperature reaches 104°F · Heat stroke can be deadly · Symptoms include a high body temperature, red skin, hot or dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness

• If symptomatic, call 9-1-1 immediately, move to a cool, shady spot.  Cool your body rapidly with cool water and monitor your body temperature.  Avoid alcoholic drinks

The best protection against high heat is staying in an air-conditioned building · Thermostats should be set to no warmer than 78°F, particularly when children or elderly are in the building · Do not rely on fans as your primary cooling source At high temperatures air from fan actually increases the body’s heat stress by delivering heated air to the body faster than the body can get rid of the heat

Protect your children from heat-related illness and injury: · Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle · Reduce a child’s outdoor activity during hot, humid weather and the hottest part of the day · Give children plenty of cool water to drink

Cool Down St. Louis is helping area seniors and people with disabilities with their air-conditioning and utilities; and area low-income households may also apply for utility assistance only www.cooldownstlouis.org. Also cooling center sites are available there.

City of St. Louis Animal Care and Control, a division of the Department of Health, also wants residents to consider their pets during extreme heat. Pets should never be left unattended in vehicles, and should have access to fresh water and shade at all times.

Ameren Missouri also donated to Cooldownstlouis.org supplemental utility funds in the amount of $200,000 for grants to qualified area residents at risk in the upcoming months.

Today Ameren volunteers, the St. Louis Fire Department, social service agencies, Cooldownstlouis officials and area TV meteorologists helped prepare the donated units for distribution, to an already large waiting list of qualified seniors and physically disabled clients.

“Cooldownstlouis.org again is working with Ameren Missouri to keep the most vulnerable individuals and families cool and healthy this summer,” said Michael Moehn, president of Ameren Missouri. “That’s why Ameren Missouri is pleased to donate 500 window air-conditioners to Cooldownstlouis.org as well as $200,000 to the charity to improve the safety for seniors, disabled and low-income customers.”

Moehn thanked area TV meteorologists for participating in this summer kickoff program, and further stressed that Ameren was pleased about the Coodownstlouis.org Check On Your Neighbor public awareness project, which it also sponsored their community outreach cooling cards that connect to area churches and social service organizations. The Ameren’s Budget Billing Program, which the charity and advocacy group also endorsed, can take some heat off of some of the 1.2 million Ameren customer bills in communities throughout the state.

“The official start of summer is a few weeks away, but already many of our elderly and disabled neighbors across the bi-state area are suffering through some hot and humid conditions, without an A/C or utility service. This could become a life-threatening crisis. KSDK 5 On Your Side has been supportive of Cooldownstlouis.org since its inception 18 years ago,” said Craig Moeller, Chief Meteorologist, KSDK 5 On Your Side. “We’re happy to use our forecasts to promote and alert our viewers of the important role this charity and their partners play, in keeping our community safe. And being on your side, means helping people during the extreme heat.”

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 physically disabilities only) will be selected by Cooldownstlouis.org and its partner agencies, which uses age and certain medical circumstances to determine qualification for air conditioners. However, utility assistance this summer also is based also on income eligibility.

“Needy neighbors can always depend on Cooldownstlouis.org. It continues to be that regional safety net providing that essential clarion call for utility assistance, donated energy efficient air-conditioners and such community outreach projects, like Check On Your Neighbors,” said St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, an honorary chair of Cooldownstlouis.org, representing other regional and state leaders. “I got to stress that government can’t do it all. While St. Louis City also partners with the regional charity, the reality is it takes a village to keep our seniors, the disabled and low-income families healthy and safe each summer with resources. I’m asking for the generosity of the public to join our village in trying to save lives; and give to Cooldownstlouis.org or donate a new or slightly used, working A/C through Vatterott.”

The annual giveaway, and summer roll out of the Cooldownstlouis.org S.O.S. (Save Our Senior) campaign is supported by Michael Moehn, president/CEO of Ameren Missouri; St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson; St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, who also represents the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association; Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., Cooldownstlouis.org board emeritus; and Michael P. McMillan, president/CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis; Rene Crosswhite, president/CEO of Vatterott Colleges; popular television meteorologists, Chris Higgins, FOX2/KPLR 11; KMOV’s Kent Ehrhardt and KSDK’s 5 On Your Side Craig Moeller, Scott Connell, Chester Lampkin and Jessica Quick; and Melanie DiLeo, board chairwoman, Cooldownstlouis.org.

“One of the greatest fears that our highly trained EMS crew and firefighters have is during summer months, when we arrive to an apartment or home emergency, they’re going to discover a deceased senior or physically disabled person, with a fan just blowing. Most area fire chiefs consider these donated Ameren A/Cs, and those being donated by the public at any Vatterott, a life-preserver,” said Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis, co-chair Health & Safety Committee, Cooldownstlouis.org. “Ameren, Vatterott, and the incredible St. Louis meteorologists – can’t do it alone. We need the public’s generosity by going online to Cooldownstlouis.org.” Chief Jenkerson stressed don’t forget to physically check on your own seniors and disabled relatives, and make sure their A/C is on and working in days like these.”

If a senior or person with physical disabilities needs assistance, please visit the Cooldownstlouis.org website or call the organization’s automated senior hotline at 1-314-241-7668. Funds are available on a first-come basis to those who qualify. The public can also make secured donations online, or send donations to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188. 100% of all public donations go towards servicing the qualified needy Missouri and Illinois neighbors.

“Summer time weather has arrived early in St. Louis and we all know it can be downright dangerous at times, especially for those who are most vulnerable. Many seniors, the physically disabled and small sick infants can easily fall victim to heat-related illnesses, if they do not have a functioning A/C or their utilities have been disconnected,” said Chris Higgins, Meteorologist, FOX2/KPLR 11. For 18 years, FOX2 and KPLR 11 have been working alongside Cooldownstlouis.org to echo its public education message to check on your neighbors; while also appealing for donations. Today’s generous gift of hundreds of A/C units and a huge cash donation by Ameren will help keep the most vulnerable of our community cool and safe this summer.”

Along with making a donation valued at about $100,000 in 500 energy efficient window units, and $200,000 in utility assistance, Ameren Missouri also provided critically important maintenance instructions, a registry application for elderly and disabled customers with each unit, including Cooldownstlouis.org cooling tips and outreach assistance cards.

“That old saying that the St. Louis region’s weather is unpredictable often rings true. During the dangerously turbulent spring and summer weather KMOV and the 4Warn Storm team bring extensive years of meteorology expertise, so that our warnings inform the viewers, so that they can prepare themselves. And having partners like Cooldownstlouis.org with additional resources when the sun can actually fry an egg on a side walk is critically important,” said Meteorologist, Kent Ehrhardt, KMOV, Channel 4. “The volunteer charity provides year-around utility assistance in about 15 Missouri and Illinois counties with its many consortium partners. Today Ameren has come on board as a good neighbor in an effort to keep area seniors and the disabled neighbors alive, healthy and connected.”

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 for a tax deduction. More information and locations are available at Cooldownstlouis.org.

“Each summer, our St. Louis Vatterott campuses look forward to the public’s generosity and partnering with Cooldownstlouis.org. Today, we congratulate Ameren on its significant donation of 500 Energy Star A/C units to kick-off the Save Our Seniors campaign,” said Rene Crosswhite, president/CEO of Vatterott. “So many of our neighbors throughout the bi-state area cannot afford to purchase an A/C unit. A working A/C window unit is a vital and essential lifeline in maintaining health and safety during hot summer days and we at Vatterott are so grateful for the opportunity to give back to our community.”

The Clergy Coalition of Metropolitan St. Louis; City/County human services, area fire departments and health departments have been asked to distribute informational cooling card tips to thousands of area residents who are also seeking utility assistance, as part of the S.O.S. outreach.

“I always like to stress that it takes a village of all-types of resources to keep the hundreds among hundreds of seniors, physically disabled and needy families with small sick infants cool, healthy and safe each summer,” said Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. “The Cooldownstlouis.org/Ameren partnership is a dynamic force that continues to benefit many who are making tough financial choices in the heat of the day, and the heat of the night, and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is a proud partner of their efforts, and we’re speaking also for other social service partners in Missouri and Illinois.”

Last year, Cooldownstlouis.org distributed about 1,000 donated air conditioners thanks to Ameren Missouri and the public through Vatterott, etc. Since its inception however, the all-volunteer summer charity has distributed more than 12,500 units.

“There are people throughout the St. Louis region who can’t — they can’t pay for the medication, rent, transportation, and yes not even basic groceries. And even though Ameren’s utility rates are considered some of the most affordable in the Midwest, many seniors and physically disabled neighbors refuse to turn on their air-conditioners, and they are the ones who get nervous, and those are primarily the lives we try to save, during our often hot, humid and potentially deadly summers,” said Melanie DiLeo, board chairwoman, Cooldownstlouis.org. So, we encourage you to KEEP ON THE AIR.”

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 and a variety of other programs that help customers save energy and money. More information is available at AmerenMissouri.com/rebates.

“We’re appealing to adults, to remind them, who are taking care of their older relatives, or a neighbor, please check on them to see if the air-conditioner is on and working. Make sure they maintain their units by cleaning out the filters for them,” said Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus. “So, your utility bills don’t necessarily sizzle, we highly recommend Ameren Budget Billing plan. Even if an elderly person thinks they can’t pay an Ameren bill this summer, contact us, but keep the air conditioners on. We’re proud to distribute these gifts of lives, so seniors and physically disabled qualified residents can have a cool, pleasurable and safe summer.”

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri’s mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 130,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area.

“Our region experiences extreme heat every summer, and it’s important to observe common sense precautions whenever this happens,” said Steve Stenger, County Executive of St. Louis County.
As temperatures continue to hover near 90 degrees, the Department of Public Health recommends the following:
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. • Spend as little time as possible in the sun and keep activity levels to a minimum. • Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or caffeine. • Take regular breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room. • Eat light, easily-digested foods, avoiding hot, heavy, or greasy meals. • Be sure not to leave food unrefrigerated for long – food spoils rapidly in the heat. • Take care of those who might not be aware of the danger or able to react accordingly – especially young children and the elderly. Check on your neighbors and relatives if they may be vulnerable or do not have air conditioning. • Use air-conditioning whenever in a vehicle or roll down the windows if there is no air conditioning. Never leave a child or a pet in a parked car without air conditioning! • Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated, or sweats heavily, find a cooler location for him or her immediately. • Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but also include hot, flushed skin, and normally sweating stops. If heat stroke is a possibility, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is life threatening!

If a person is unable to keep his or her residence cool and needs to find a cooling center, that person is urged to go online or obtain utility assistance, at Cooldownstlouis.org.

Residents are also urged to consider pets whenever temperatures rise. To protect pets in extreme heat citizens should: • Regularly check a pet’s water to make sure it is clean and fresh. Ample drinking water is vital to animals during hot and humid conditions. Make sure to adjust the drinking quantity for the size and number of pets in the area. You can also spray your pet with water to cool them off. • Provide a shady spot for pets. A pen near trees will work or you can fasten a sunroom screen to the sides and top of the pen to provide shade too. • Never leave your pet unattended in a hot vehicle. Internal vehicle temperatures can reach 150 degrees.

On Friday, February 9 with the dramatic thrust of the St. Louis media; Hardee’s customers, donors and volunteer efforts, so far, Rise ‘N Shine for Heatupstlouis.org (#heatupstl @heatupstl) has raised about $406,000, which exceeds our 2017 final results by 33%.  In 2017, our final was $303,000, but the 2018 $406,000, so far as of today is still growing. Hardee’s is keeping up its collection canister only, all weekend long, through Sunday night, asking its customers and the public to drop by additional donations. The public can still go securely online to Heatupstlouis.org to make a donation this weekend. As Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, our public safety chair said earlier today, “Heatupstlouis.org has proven to save lives, to keep Missouri and Illinois residents from avoiding unsafe methods of heating, during the cold weather.”

The cold weather has hit extremely hard this winter, tripling the demands for Heatupstlouis in about 15 Missouri and Illinois counties and the City of St. Louis.  Our area region’s needy, senior and disabled people need to keep their utilities connected to avoid unsafe and unhealthy issues.

Apparently, the public and Hardee’s customers have felt a need to come out in droves and help their needy neighbors — over-crowding many drive-thrus and dining rooms like never before in Missouri and Illinois. Unfortunately, we will not have a final report from Hardee’s MO/IL, until earlier next week.  But so far, $406,000 is beyond our wildest expectation.

By the way thanks to the media, #Heatupstl and @Heatupstl were among the top trenders, earlier today.

Thank you, St. Louis media for saving lives, keeping seniors, disabled and low-income neighbors safe and healthy with primary heating. Heatupstlouis.org has already scheduled its 19th Annual Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat fundraiser for February 15, 2019

An Army of 675 Volunteers: Firefighters, Media, Social Service, Business, Political and Civic Leaders; and Board Members Help Heatupstlouis.org Raise Dough and Safety Awareness During 18th Annual Hardee’s “Rise ‘N Shine for Heat” – “Have a Heart…Heat A Home” Project – Friday, February 9, 2018

Heatupstlouis.org, (now going into its 18th year of operations) embarked on its current winter 2017/18 heating season, with a 58% increase of requests for assistance for utility help, from Illinois and Missouri seniors, disabled and needy families, according to Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus and Pamela Rice Walker, board president of Heatupstlouis.org. Unfortunately, all those funds donated during the Gift of Warmth holiday period have been distributed; including another $725,000 in grants to qualified residents, from fourth quarter of 2017.

“Even with the winter thaw, this current winter season, has shown no mercy,” said Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., “The last week of Christmas, 2017 and through this week, has been one bombard after another in high demands. Old Man Winter has shown no mercy for our most vulnerable. And thank goodness for our annual Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine fundraising, where 100% collected will be used for MO/IL area qualified needy.”

The 18th Annual Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat, a region-wide fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, February 9, during breakfast, at bi-state area participating Hardee’s restaurants, and will assist many rural, urban and suburban needy residents in paying their high delinquent winter heating bills. This year’s theme is “Have A Heart…Heat A Home.”

Hundreds of crew members from the St. Louis area local Hardee’s franchisee Pioneer Restaurants LLC will help Heatupstlouis.org collect funds in money-aprons and canisters; and 100% sales of the Sausage ‘N Egg and Egg biscuit sandwiches the morning of Friday, February 9, ONLY will go Heatupstlouis.org and its consortium social service partners. Also due to this winter’s bitter cold, Hardee’s will extend the canister drive in all its 55 MO/IL participating restaurants that weekend of February 10-11.

About 675 volunteers from area businesses, social services agencies, first-responders, elected officials, media, health specialists and community leaders will accept donation tips from customers at the menu boards, drive-thrus and in the dining rooms of area participating Hardee’s, as official greeters with official aprons and/or Heat-Up canisters. 100% of combined funds will stay in the communities, where collected and will be for used utility assistance. Ameren and Hardee’s have underwritten administrative costs for this community-wide project, so 100% proceeds collected is used strictly for servicing the needy.

The St. Louis radio and television stations and social media have been invited annually to provide live remote coverage throughout much of the 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. breakfast period, on February 9, (depending on the opening times, when some area Hardee’s may serve breakfast). Honorary Campaign chair, Tom Trotter stressed that the media plays a dynamic role in protecting the health and public safety interests of area needy households through the annual Hardee’s/Heatupstlouis.org regional fundraiser.

“Heatupstlouis.org helps save lives,” said St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, a member of the Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis, and general co-chair of this year’s bi-state area, Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat project. “Winter time is the most dangerous time for home and apartment fires because some people attempt to use unsafe methods of heating their homes. It’s important to work with the utilities and keep your primary home heating source connected, especially during this hash winter, as your health and safety become more critically.”

This year, in addition to radio and TV media personalities, who were invited to be stationed at various MO/IL locations, other volunteer greeters, so far from the Heatupstlouis.org board of directors are scheduled to appear, like: Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt; Missouri Deputy Public Safety Director Gregg Favre; St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson; St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger; St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern; Pamela R. Walker, Board President; St. Louis Charles County Steve Ehlmann; Michael Patrick McMillan, President/CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis; Melanie DiLeo, Board Chairwoman; Board President Emeritus Lance LeComb; St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, representing Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis (MO/IL); Tom Trotter, Operating Partner and Laurie Trotter of Pioneer Restaurants, LLC, (owner of area Hardee’s); Denise Liebel, Executive Director , United Services for Children; Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., Chair Emeritus, St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition; Board Chairman Emeritus J. Kim Tucci; and Brian Leonard, Director of Corporate Initiatives, Ameren Corp; Inc. Non-board members will include some MO/IL area municipal mayors, social service and community action agency volunteers; Michael Moehn, president and chairman, Ameren Missouri, and Fred Bird, St. Louis Cardinals mascot to name a few.

Area groups and corporations can also go online now at www.heatupstlouis.org and register for the special offering of the pre-bulk breakfast sandwich purchases through Wednesday, February 7. This year, because of the need being so great, Hardee’s will also expand its canister collection ONLY portion of the fundraiser through the weekend of February 10-11.

In the past, the St. Louis region has experienced infant and senior deaths, often due to the unsafe use of space heaters. Earlier this winter there has been an escalation of fires throughout the St. Louis. Many fire officials’ investigations clearly pointed to unsafe methods of heating, relating to space heaters. The regional safety-net charity also encourages all rate-payers to make monthly payments on their utilities, even if they are seeking utility assistance, and especially when the winter weather is consistently above freezing.

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, continue to rise at a rapid pace, over the last several years. Heatupstlouis.org 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 warm home heating source.

“For many families in St. Clair and the surrounding counties, it has been, so far, a tough and cold winter for so many of our elderly, disabled and low-income people,” 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 us, because all of the monies collected stay right here in our community.”

Even in a mild winter, many sections of the bi-state area have old housing stock, often with poor or no weatherization. Heatupstlouis.org supports an increasingly aging and low-income population area. As part of its mission, Heatupstlouis.org through many of its consortium partners also educates the public about safety, financial literacy, budgeting as well as energy efficiency and weatherization.

“Being without a home heating source during this winter can trigger major health and safety issues for the most vulnerable, and Heatupstlouis.org often serves as that safety net providing supplemental or primary grants to thousands of qualified Missouri and Illinois residents, seniors and disabled people residing in St. Louis County,” said St. Louis County Executive Steven V. Stenger, and honorary co-chair. “In 2017, HUD and St. Louis County Planning department, provided $250,000 in utility grants to Heatupstlouis.org. All the funds have been exhausted to eliminate fall utility bills for hundreds of County residents, so they could face this brutal winter with less financial anxieties.

Stenger, also said the strength behind this long-time regional charitable event are the 650 volunteers serving as official greeters, who encourage businesses and customers to give them tips, at the area (MO/IL) Hardee’s franchisee units. “Often about this time during a very harsh 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 Heatupstlouis.org that has been a blessing for thousands 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 Heat-Up executive board and his agency partners with Heat-Up St. Louis.

Monies collected as tips from volunteers positioned in the drive-thrus, menu boards, and restaurants along with canisters on the restaurant counters and proceeds from the Sausage ‘N Egg and Egg biscuit sandwiches will also stay in the respective city or county where collected.

“Hardee’s and Heat-Up St. Louis have developed an incredible partnership over the past 18 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 Lyda Krewson, and an honorary board chair of Heat-Up. “More than 6,775 volunteers and countless more customers have continued to help make the annual Rise ‘N Shine a major regional success because of their generosity. St. Louis City will make a significant grant announcement during the Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat fundraiser, as well Ameren.

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.

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. Heat-Up St. Louis and its social service partners impact the well-being of many of our residents each winter.”

Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr. points to Heat-Up St. Louis funds as often, the only source of assistance in some parts of the St. Louis IL/MO region. LIHEAP, the federal program, qualifies certain income levels, and several other utility or government programs are used with a Heat-Up St. Louis, as a “bundle,” to re-connect services or stop a disconnection due to the size of the utility bill. However, of late, Heatupstlouis.org has become the primary source for utility assistance, for many needy families; putting a financial strain on its fundraising efforts.

Since its inception, the 58 members, diverse, all-volunteer board of directors has impacted the lives of more than 365,000 persons and received more than $15.5 million in various small to large donations. The Board of Directors routinely underwrites, 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, as well as on-line assistance through www.heatupstlouis.org. Ninety percent of requests for assistance comes from online.