“This is the first dangerously hot stretch of the summer, and the high humidity makes it more dangerous than the temperature alone suggests,” says Gregg Favre, Commissioner of Emergency Management. “If you’re responsible for outdoor workers, summer campers, or anyone who can’t easily get to air conditioning, make sure they have shade, water, and regular breaks. Heat illness can escalate fast. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear before taking action.”

Without precautions, the predicted dangerously high temperatures and humidity could quickly cause heat stress, exhaustion, or heat stroke. While heat stress and exhaustion can often be remedied by going to a cooled environment and hydrating, heat stroke no is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Signs of heat-related illness include:

• Heat Exhaustion

  • Heavy sweating

  • Weakness or dizziness

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Headache

  • Cold, pale, or clammy skin

• Heat Stroke (Call 911 immediately if you suspect heat stroke):

  • High body temperature (103°F or higher)

  • Hot, red, dry or damp skin

  • Confusion

  • Fainting

  • Rapid, strong pulse

“Excessive daytime heat can result in dangerous conditions for many city residents, including the elderly, young children, those with disabilities, and outdoor workers,” said Victoria Anwuri, Commissioner of Health for the City of St. Louis. “Ensure your own safety by staying hydrated, staying indoors, and wearing light, loose clothing and sunscreen if going outside is necessary, then check on those who are vulnerable and may need assistance.”

Heat-Related Health and Safety Tips for People:

• Avoid poorly ventilated areas and prolonged work in the sun

• Keep plenty of fluids on hand and stay inside, or take frequent breaks in an air-conditioned environment

• Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing

• Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle. Check the backseat before exiting. During extreme heat, vehicle temperatures can reach lethal levels in minutes

• Routinely check on family members, neighbors, the elderly, the chronically ill, and friends. If they have air conditioning available, encourage them to use it

• Replace salt and minerals: heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat

• If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets

Heat-Related Health and Safety Tips for Pets:

• In extreme heat, it is important that pets are in an air-conditioned environment

• Never leave pets alone in a vehicle. If you see a pet in an unattended vehicle, call 911

• Watch for coolant leaking from your vehicle. A pet drinking just a small amount can cause death

• Do not force your animal to exercise after a meal in hot, humid weather. Limit exercise to the early morning or evening hours

• Never leave your pet standing on asphalt surfaces, as they can burn their paws

Heat-related Services available for residents:

• Sign up for NotifySTL to receive real-time emergency alerts and weather-related updates from the City of St. Louis.

• Cooldown St. Louis is helping area seniors and people with physical disabilities who qualify for new air-conditioning units and utilities this summer. Low-to-moderate-income households may also seek utility assistance through CoolDownStlouis.org. Seniors may call the automated hotline at 314-241-0001 or 314-657-1599 for assistance. To be considered for an air conditioner, seniors or individuals with physical disabilities must not have a working air conditioner.

• For cooling site information, visit the City of St. Louis Cooling Centers website. For mobile outreach, please call the St. Patrick’s Center at 314-561-0278

• For help with a serious heat-related illness, call 911

• Immediately report animals in distress to the City of St. Louis Animal Care and Control division at 314-657-1500 during regular business hours. During evenings and weekends, call the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at 314-231-1212

• Additional tips on child safety and child injury prevention can be found at http://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/heatstroke

• Additional tips on safety related to extreme heat can be found on the CDC website.

1. LOUIS (June 4, 2026) – Ameren Missouri donated 950 ENERGY STAR certified  window air conditioners to Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org for  qualifying customers living in St. Louis and communities throughout Missouri. Today,  many volunteers prepared the donated units for statewide distribution. 

“Living through the heat of a Midwest summer can be really hard, and we know that  hot weather can put added strain on households needing reliable cooling,” said  Michael Moehn, group president of Ameren Utilities. “Thanks to this longstanding  and impactful partnership, our customers will have access to air conditioners and  cooling resources ahead of the dangerous summer heat.” 

This year’s air conditioner donation marks the 21st year Ameren Missouri has  partnered with Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org and their “Save Our  Seniors” (S.O.S.) summer project, which is celebrating its 26th year of service. During this time, Ameren Missouri and its volunteers have helped deliver more than 20,000 donated energy-efficient window air conditioner units. 

“Cooldownmissouri.org is a vital charity and an essential lifeline, protecting  thousands of seniors and households with vulnerable infants during dangerously hot, humid summer days,” said Missouri Lt. Gov. David Wasinger, who also serves as  a proud state volunteer board member. “Our partnership with Ameren acts as a  much-needed life preserver for Missourians who simply cannot afford a new, energy efficient window air conditioner.” 

St. Louis County Prosecutor Melissa Price Smith shared, “We’re here today to  show our appreciation to the volunteers at Ameren and the agencies that are joining  us to help distribute 950 new air conditioning units donated by Ameren throughout  Missouri, including parts of the metropolitan area. These units are needed to ensure  that someone’s elderly relative will not be overcome by the extreme St. Louis-area  heat. Having a cooling unit can help prevent heat-related illnesses this summer.  Since our inception, we’ve accepted thousands of donated units through the  generosity of Ameren and individuals from the public sector and the business 

NEWS RELEASE 

communities. We encourage the public to contribute to Cooldownstlouis.org to also  help with utility assistance.” 

St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson stated, “I’ve been associated with the city of  St. Louis for more than 50 years. During my tenure as a firefighter and chief, I’ve  responded to numerous service calls where tragedy could have been avoided with  something as simple as a cooling unit, especially during the summer heat.” 

On average, energy-efficient air conditioners cost less than $1 a day to operate.  Access to an energy-efficient unit can help households stay safe during periods of  high heat. 

Jenkerson, who is also the Cooldownmissouri.org safety chair, continued, “I can  assure you that because of the statewide partnership between Cooldownmissouri.org and Ameren, our efforts save lives each summer. Our success depends on engaging  everyone here today – the St. Louis media, meteorologists, and the National Weather  

Service. It’s the donors with hearts as big as the Arch. It’s the Cool Down  collaborations throughout the state and St. Louis region, with so many social service  agencies helping. It also takes each one of us, too – neighbors checking on  neighbors.” 

Linda Huntspon, chief executive officer of the Community Action Agency of St.  Louis County said, “Access to safe, reliable cooling is not a luxury; it is essential to  the health and safety of families, seniors, and vulnerable residents during extreme  summer heat. We are deeply grateful for the Heat Up St. Louis/Cool Down St. Louis  and Ameren community partnership, which represents more than 25 years of  neighbors helping neighbors to ensure families remain safe, stable and cool when  they need it most.” 

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has collaborated with  Cooldownstlouis.org since its inception 26 years ago, not only by providing air  conditioners but also through its annual summer expo and the Cool Down Energy  Row project, where Ameren helps connect residents with energy programs. 

“We know the region needs the Ameren and Cool Down annual A/C Giveaway program. It has been a lifesaver, especially for us in the urban core, where summer  heat is very dangerous in old brick homes,” said Michael P. McMillan, president  and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. “As the weather  becomes more extreme, affordability has become a real home budget issue. This joint summer project has helped thousands of seniors and families stay safe and stay  alive.”  

Other Ameren Missouri resources are available for seniors and those with medical  needs. Customers and their families are encouraged to visit  

AmerenMissouri.com/HealthAndSafety for more information. Ameren Missouri also  offers energy efficiency programs that are designed to benefit income-eligible  customers who are looking to improve home energy efficiency. 

NEWS RELEASE 

Older adults and people with disabilities may also apply for energy assistance funds  by visiting Cooldownstlouis.org or Cooldownmissouri.org or by calling 314.241.0001  or 314.834.0034, the hotlines for seniors and people with disabilities. Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org will also be distributing 200,000  cooling cards with helpful summer safety tips along with Ameren Missouri’s contact  information to help connect customers to available resources. 

Energy assistance is also available to Ameren Missouri customers who need help  paying their bills. Visit AmerenMissouri.com/EnergyAssistance to find an agency and  learn about all program options, including: 

• Cooldownstlouis.org/AmerenAssistance – Clients are eligible for up to $600.  Call 314.241.0001 for more information. 
• Veterans Assistance – Active-duty military and veterans can receive up to  $600 to help pay a past-due utility bill. Call 211 for details. 
• Dollar More – Eligible customers can receive up to $600. Income eligibility  has increased to 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL).  
• Keeping Cool – Provides up to five bill credits of $50 each from May through  September for income-eligible customers, including senior citizens, those  with children under age 5, and individuals who have a documented chronic  medical condition or disability. 
• LIHEAP Summer Crisis Assistance – Eligible customers can receive up to  $300. 
• Flexible payment arrangements and payment agreements can also be  made with Ameren Missouri. 

About Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org 

Cooldownstlouis.org is a bi-state nonprofit dedicated to providing education and  resources to help the most vulnerable citizens, especially seniors, low-income  families and the physically disabled. The organization works with more than 38  agencies to make sure utility bills are paid and the community’s most vulnerable  citizens have access to the energy-efficient air conditioners they need to stay safe. 

About Ameren Missouri  

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 1.3 million electric and 135,000  natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area  covers 60 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis  area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at  @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri. 

Since its inception almost also 26 years ago, Heatupstlouis.org has partnered with the local Hardee’s restaurants in the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. “It’s Your Lucky Day” campaign is already underway with a bulk Pre-Order on-line campaign where area clubs, charities, companies, and civic groups are able to purchase 20 or more Sausage biscuits or Egg biscuits at a special price of $1.00 each via HeatupStlouis.Org online only and then pick-up product within 24 hours daily. That special fundraiser ends on Thursday, at Noon on February 12. 2026.

It is Hardee’s “Rise and Shine for Heat Day” phase two of “It’s your Lucky Day,” on Friday, February 13, Valentine’s Day eve during breakfast hours of 6-10:30 a.m., at area participating Hardee’s in Illinois and Missouri. Ameren, Commerce Bank and Hardee’s are corporate sponsors and Spire is a co-sponsor. Hardee’s has continued to donate for the past 26 years, its egg biscuit and sausage biscuit products to the charitable cause. So, 100% of those proceeds will go to Heatupstlouis.org and its Illinois and Missouri partners. Hardee’s is also donating its product and Ameren and Commerce Bank are underwriting the cost of the collection aprons, etc.

Meanwhile the general public can drop off a dollar or more and receive a Hardee’s made-from-scratch sausage biscuit or egg biscuit for one dollar each on Friday, the 13th – “Your Lucky Day.” While purchasing the produce from Hardee’s team members, area volunteers will be spread throughout Hardee’s, in the St. Louis region taking up extra dough (tips) including cash or checks payable to the charity. 100% of all combined funds collected that day would go to Heatupstlouis.Org. and its partnering Illinois and Missouri charities 

The St. Louis local media is invited to do live news breaks with many federal, state, and local newsmakers, who many are volunteers and board members of Heatupstlouis.org. After Friday, February 13, 2026, (Your Lucky Day) Hardee’s will continue to take canister donations, QR scans from canisters and in-store Hardee’s P.O.P; and round-up donations throughout the day of Monday, February 16. Those combined efforts along with major check presentations from area entities combined will go towards the overall results. Both Ameren, Spire, Affordable Housing Trust fund, Anthem and Commerce Bank and others will also be making significant contributions during Rise and Shine Day.

Heat-Up St. Louis has impacted the lives of more than 1.9 million people throughout Missouri and Illinois. Hardee’s annual regionwide fundraiser alone has raised more than $7.1 million from substantial grants, and from the sales of Hardee’s sausage biscuits and egg biscuits. Since its inception the HUSTL charity has received in donations of more than $52 million. The not-for-profit, public education and advocacy charity also has taken note that need knows no geographic boundaries.

January 2026 has been bitter cold. This extreme weather has driven-up utility usage. This is causing many families and individuals on fixed incomes, seniors and the physically disabled and now the working middle class to cut back on necessities. When usage becomes abnormally high, so does utility bills. Some families have been on utility budget billing from the previous summer. 

Extreme weather, Inflation, and affordability and those who had experienced home damage because of a large group of 2025 tornadoes in Missouri are still struggling with utility bills. The cost of natural gas and electricity is still a challenge for some area households. Heatupstlouis.org works with Ameren and Spire Energy to help change the landscape related to affordability with aggressive positive utility programs to keep down the cost of their monthly utility bills. For many families and individuals those efforts are still not enough. 

In addition, hundreds of heads of households may not qualify for federal funds or may need additional fundings. That where’s the annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine donors come in because there are less application barriers. 

The economy and weather conditions are so turbulent these days, Heatupstlouis.Org fear more families sliding off the safety net to borderline homelessness or emotional despair. The high demand for utility assistance since the previous winter months has risen to almost 59% of an increase in demand versus this current heating season, so far. 

100% of all proceeds will stay in the communities where funds were collected to keep neighbors in need warm, for instance in the bi-state area, as far away as Jefferson, St. Charles, Lincoln, Pike, and Warren counties in Missouri, and Madison, Bond, and St. Clair counties in Illinois and other Missouri counties, including St. Louis County, and the City of St. Louis. 

“This annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine resources have become an economic lifeline. This is why it is so important to ensure that funds from this event are bundled with other funding sources, to help drive down extremely high energy bills,” said HUSTL Board President Ben Turec.

“Wintertime 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 chair of the Safety Committee at Heatupstlouis.org, also representing the Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis. “It is important to work with the utilities and us and keep your primary home heating source connected, especially during the extreme weather where temperature hit some very outrageously dangerous lows.”

Area civic, business, religious, first-responders, media and civic leaders have been invited to contribute to this year’s event; and serve as community hosts at area participating Hardee’s shaking their canisters. People with various affiliations with local groups are encouraged to volunteer and sign-up only at Heatupstlouis.Org.  This volunteer recruitment ends Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Throughout the year, the public can always drop by any area Commerce Bank and make a check or money order payable check to Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc. and online at Heatupstlouis.org. The 63 all-volunteer board of directors underwrite all administration costs, so all public donations go directly to servicing the needy of Missouri and Illinois residents, who qualify.

• Keep water moving by letting cold water drip from faucets, especially those on exterior walls.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks and keep pipes on exterior walls well-insulated.
• Disconnect hoses from outdoor spigots, and cover the spigots with foam insulators.
• Know the location of your shut-off valve and how to operate it in case of an emergency.
• If traveling:
  • 1) Turn off your hot water heater
  • 2) Shut off your water supply
  • 3) Open your faucets
• Reminder:  NEVER use an open flame to warm your pipes.

ST. LOUIS (Aug. 25, 2025) Ameren Missouri customers who typically qualify for energy assistance may now be eligible to receive up to $1,400 in bill payment assistance across various programs.

This follows Ameren’s $4 million donation to community action agencies last week.

These dollars are in addition to the $1 million in support for victims of the May 16 tornado. Energy assistance funds are still available and are being distributed by local area agencies.

“It’s important that we partner with local agencies that can bundle our energy assistance programs and provide additional services for our customers,” said Joe Solari, vice president of customer experience for Ameren. “Please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance, even if you’re unsure about your eligibility. We’re here to help.”

Ameren Missouri’s partner agencies include United Way, Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org, the Urban League, Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC), North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC), East Missouri Action Agency (EMAA), Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) and more.

“We are grateful for Ameren Missouri’s donation and remain ready to connect those in need with resources and support on a daily basis,” said Michelle Tucker, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. “We know the power of connection and we’ve seen significant success when our families reach out to seek available assistance, such as a mother of six who was recently displaced from her home. After bundling numerous energy assistance programs and funds from Ameren Missouri and more, her family was able to relocate and is now set up with a payment they can afford.”

Here is a list of Ameren Missouri’s available energy assistance programs, which can be bundled depending on eligibility:
• Dollar More can provide eligible households with up to $600 per calendar year when their bill is past due.
• Keeping Cool provides up to five bill credits of $50 each (up to $250 per year) to eligible customers from May through September for two calendar years, which means customers could qualify for up to $350 under the program.
• Missouri’s Summer Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) offers those in financial crisis up to $300 from June through September.
• Ameren Energy Relief Grant provides a $150 one-time grant to eligible customers with a balance of at least $150.

Other available energy assistance programs include:
• New Start Energy Relief: Past-due bill forgiveness up to $1,000 for neighbors who have experienced being unhoused and are seeking permanent housing.
• Veterans Energy Assistance: Active-duty military and veterans can receive up to $600 when their bill is past due. Call 211 for more information.

As summer temperatures soar and air conditioners continue to work overtime to keep people safe and cool, Ameren Missouri is also encouraging customers to utilize the online tools it offers for managing energy usage. Customers’ online accounts give them a clear view of their energy usage and personalized recommendations:
• Energy Usage Dashboard: Track usage by appliance and time of day, view bill projections and explore custom savings tips.
• Off-Peak Awareness: Shift energy use to off-peak hours – typically after 9 p.m. and before 8 a.m. CST.
• Budget Billing & Auto Pay: Avoid seasonal spikes and stay on top of bills with flexible payment options.
• Alerts and Notifications: Get reminders, outage updates and energy assistance alerts via text or email.
• My Recommendations: View personalized energy efficiency tips and programs to save money.

“It’s also important for our customers to understand how to use our online tools and to see how they’re using energy so they can take control of their usage,” said Solari. “These tools are designed to empower customers to manage their energy in ways that work for them.”

Customers can also access their account through the Ameren app or by calling 800.552.7583. Ameren Missouri’s customer service representatives can access these insights even if customers do not have an online account.

For a comprehensive list of energy assistance programs, bill payment options and money-saving resources, visit AmerenMissouri.com/EnergyAssistance.

About Ameren Missouri
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 approximately 1.3 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers approximately 60 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

St. LOUIS (June 24, 2025) – In preparation for the hot summer weeks ahead, Ameren Missouri donated 900 ENERGY STAR certified window air conditioners to Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org to support the most vulnerable customers in St. Louis and communities throughout Missouri. One hundred of these air conditioners will be designated for customers from heavily impacted areas related to severe weather that occurred throughout Ameren Missouri’s service territory in 2025.
“We understand the recent severe weather had a devastating impact on our community, so we’re continuing to offer additional assistance in a variety of ways to help keep our neighbors cool and safe this summer,” said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. “Thanks to this impactful partnership, our most vulnerable customers will have greater access to air conditioners ahead of the dangerous summer heat.”

This year’s air conditioner donation marks the 25th anniversary of Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org’s “Save our Seniors” (S.O.S) Cooling Summer Project. It is Ameren Missouri’s 20th year of participation in the program. Since then, Ameren Missouri and its efforts have helped deliver nearly 20,000 donated energy-efficient window air conditioner units.

“The charity is grateful to Ameren Missouri for setting aside additional new energy efficient air conditioners after the recent tornadoes proved to be simply devastating, leaving many of our resident shaken to the core and horrified,” said Missouri State Senator Karla May, and co-chair of compliance for Cooldownstlouis.org. “There have been 91 tornadoes across Missouri since the beginning of 2025, and each have been impactful in terms of property damage. For numerous homes that have safe electrical connections, Cool Down St. Louis will be working with several of its social service partners to also qualify area residents. The priority is for seniors, the physical disabled and low-income households with small children who have serious medical conditions.”

Today, many volunteers prepared the donated units for statewide distribution to qualified Ameren Missouri customers.

“Ameren Missouri and Cool Down have successfully collaborated over the years to make sure the summer months in a notoriously hot and humid region have less heat-related illnesses or fatalities,” said St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer. “This collaboration with the support of the Urban League, Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul, CAASTLC, Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis and so many more social service partners throughout Missouri are making a life-or-death difference.”

“We are encouraging additional resources from the public,” continued Senator May. “We appreciate Ameren Missouri’s generosity and now are asking the business community and individuals who want to adopt a family or a senior for an air conditioner to contact us. An area resident will only be considered if they have absolutely no working unit, and we now have a waiting list. Please go to Cooldownstlouis.org and fill out an application, using a mobile device. This is on a first-come, first-serve basis.”

This long-standing partnership aims to keep people and families cool and safe during the hot summer months.

“The St. Louis Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis and the City of St. Louis Fire Department have been partners with Cooldownstlouis.org since day one – 25 years ago,” said Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, chair of the charity’s safety committee. “I know for a fact that the bi-state charity saves lives as we continue to see the dangerous effects of being without an air conditioner while visiting hundreds of homes over the years. It is shocking, especially for our most vulnerable who struggle with paying their utility bills, groceries and buying medication. It is critically important to note that only seniors, physically disabled and families with small children who have medical conditions, in that priority, will be considered if they do not already have one.”

On average, energy-efficient air conditioners cost less than a dollar a day to operate. The few dollars it takes to run an air conditioner doesn’t compare to the value of protecting health and being safe.

“Turn on the air without worrying about your utility bills. Ameren Missouri and Cool Down are working together with other partners to assure their customer programs can help with the challenges of increasing utility bills while the air conditioners are running,” said Reverend Earl E. Nance Jr., treasurer and chair emeritus. “By working with Ameren Missouri, and our regional partners, we can save lives and make sure the people who need an air conditioner qualify for one and use it safely. In our 25 years of working throughout the community, we have impacted the lives of more than 1.8 million people. We ask that you give us and our partners some grace so that we can all work together to defeat the deadly heat and keep our area residents cool and alive. Ameren Missouri is a great partner who does the right things to ensure its customers are safe.”

Partner agencies, like the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc., will help distribute air conditioners to individuals across Ameren Missouri’s service area.

“In speaking for all of its partnerships, the Urban League depends on the generosity and resourcefulness of organizations like Ameren Missouri, Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org,” said Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League, and an executive board member for the charity. “We have also been with them since day one. The government cannot do it alone, so funds and resources for this charity give us the extra lift necessary to keep our region cool and safe. We are stronger because of the determination and volunteer spirit of the Cool Down effectiveness. I am proud to be an executive board member of one of the leading advocacy, education and utility charities in the nation. Their efforts have been lauded by presidents, senators, governors and other similar organizations to our own.”

Other Ameren Missouri resources are available for seniors and those with medical concerns. Customers and their families are encouraged to visit AmerenMissouri.com/HealthAndSafety for more information. Ameren Missouri also offers energy efficiency programs that are designed to benefit income-eligible customers, which helps them save energy and money without sacrificing comfort.

Older adults and people with disabilities may also apply for energy assistance funds by visiting Cooldownstlouis.org or Cooldownmissouri.org, or by calling 314.241.0001 or 314.834.0034, the hotlines for seniors and people with disabilities. Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org will also be distributing 200,000 cooling cards with helpful summer tips along with Ameren Missouri’s contact information to connect customers to available resources.

Energy assistance is also available to Ameren Missouri customers who need help paying their bills. Visit AmerenMissouri.com/EnergyAssistance to find an agency and learn about all program options, including:

• org/AmerenAssistance – Clients are eligible for upwards of $600. Call 314.241.0001 for more information.
• Veterans Assistance – Active-duty military and veterans can receive up to $600 to help pay a past due utility bill. Call 211 for details.
• Dollar More – Eligible customers can receive up to $600.
• LIHEAP Summer Crisis Assistance – Eligible customers can receive up to $300.
• Flexible payment arrangements and payment agreements can also be made with Ameren Missouri.

About Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org

Cooldownstlouis.org is a bi-state nonprofit dedicated to providing education and resources to help the most vulnerable citizens, especially seniors, low-income families and the physically disabled. The organization works with more than 38 agencies to make sure utility bills are paid and the community’s most vulnerable citizens have access to the energy-efficient air conditioners they need to stay safe.

About Ameren Missouri

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 1.3 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers approximately 60 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

The City of St. Louis Department of Health is encouraging citizens to prepare for the possibility of extremely high temperatures beginning Saturday, June 21, 2025. Temperatures, although seasonal, will be at potentially dangerous levels during an extended period for the first time this season.

“Extreme summer heat and high humidity can lead to dangerously high temperatures, resulting in heat illness or even death,” said Victoria Anwuri, Commissioner of Health, City of St. Louis Department of Health. “We urge residents to stay vigilant in the coming days. Keep your air conditioning on, monitor weather reports, and check on those at risk for heat-related illnesses, including the elderly, young children, and individuals on medications like beta blockers or diuretics.”

Recommendations for residents to stay safe in extreme hot weather include:

• Stay in the coolest environment possible and limit or stop outdoor activity.
• Stay informed of weather conditions.
• Wear light, loose clothing.
• Try to spend at least part of each day in air conditioning.
• Drink plenty of cool water to prevent dehydration and avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Check in regularly on elderly, chronically ill, or homebound relatives, neighbors, and friends. If they have air conditioning available, encourage them to use it.

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, at 314-241-0001, or www.cooldownstlouis.org. The A/Cs are on a first come basis and are for those household categories that have absolutely no working A/C. The electrical outlets must be working and safe in order to avoid circuit surges and house fires.

The Red Cross is now opening its overnight shelters during the day from 10 AM to 4 PM for residents seeking a place to cool off.

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.

For information on cooling sites, contact the United Way Greater St. Louis Information Referral line at 1-800-427-4626 (TTY 1-866-385-6525) or, if calling from a landline phone, dial 2-1-1. For help with a serious heat-related illness, call 911.

Additional tips on child safety and child injury prevention can be found at http://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/heatstroke.

Additional safety tips related to extreme heat can be found in the City Emergency Management Agency’s Hot Weather webpage and in the City of St Louis Department of Health’s Summer in the City booklet.

For more information, please contact the City of St. Louis Department of Health at 314-612-5100 or health@stlouis-mo.gov.

Best,

Shontae R Fluelen, MA, CMQ/OE

Health Services Manager II – Communications/Community Outreach

City of St. Louis Department of Health

Office: (314) 657-1463 | Fax: (314) 612-5105

Click here to download the pdf of this Press Release.

ST. LOUIS – City of St. Louis residents impacted by the May 16th tornado have several ways to connect with resources and assistance this coming week as the City of St. Louis and its partners expand opportunities.

Disaster Assistance Center – Week Two

Monday welcomes the second week of the Disaster Assistance Center at the Chaifetz Arena. The DAC will run Monday, June 16, through Wednesday, June 18, between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Residents can enter through Gate C on the northeast corner of the arena. Appointments are highly recommended and can be made online at stlouis-mo.gov/tornado/dac or by calling 211. Walk-ins are welcome. If you choose to walk in, arriving in the afternoon may decrease your wait time to speak with vendors.

The DAC helped more than 1,200 households connect with area resources in its first week.

Home Again: Rehousing Recovery Fair 

On Tuesday, June 17, dozens of housing vendors will be on site at the DAC to participate in the Home Again: Rehousing Recovery Fair, organized by the St. Louis Housing Authority. The fair runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and residents seeking housing are encouraged to register online. Additional information is available at slha.org/home-again-rehousing-recovery-fair/. Two additional housing fairs are scheduled for July 10 and August 5, with locations and times to be announced.

FEMA Assistance / SBA Low-Interest Loans

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have both responded to St. Louis following the Federal Disaster Declaration by President Donald J. Trump last Monday.

Residents impacted by the May 16 tornado can contact FEMA to apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or by downloading the FEMA app through Google Play and the Apple App Store. Once an application is submitted, a FEMA representative may contact you to discuss your application and schedule an inspection of the property listed in the application. For residents who have applied, FEMA representatives may call from an unknown number, so it is important to answer the phone.

SBA has opened a Business Recovery Center (BRC) to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected. Located at the St. Louis Community College – Harrison Education Center at 3140 Cass Avenue, Room #104, the BRC will have customer service representatives available to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. No appointment is necessary; walk-ins are welcome. Those who prefer to schedule an in-person appointment in advance can do so at appointment.sba.gov. The center’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Those impacted by the May 16th tornado and seeking assistance through FEMA or SBA should apply before the August 11, 2025, deadline.

Request for Proposals Released

The City of St. Louis released three Requests for Proposals in response to the recovery efforts from the May 16th tornado. The RFPs are the following:

Heatupstlouis.Org (Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc,) an advocacy, public education, and utility assistance charity covering 44 Missouri and Illinois counties and the City of St. Louis is celebrating its 25th year in public service has raised as of today more than $1,010,000 (a 200% increase over goal vs last year) from the Hardee’s Rise and Shine Benefit during Valentine’s Day. A record of 800 volunteers collected extra dough (tips) during an expanded 11 a.m. Friday breakfast period.

However, Hardee’s ceased this morning with the special sale of the Sausage biscuit and egg biscuit fundraiser for $1 each until next year. This weekend through Monday, February 17, they will continue to ask customers to “Round-Up” their breakfast, luncheon, and dinner receipts. They also will continue with the special canister collections at participating locations in the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area of Missouri and Illinois.

“The extreme weather conditions continue to hike up the usage rates of utilities,” said Ben Turec, board president of the 25-year-old charity. “The uncertainties of the government continuing to provide utility assistance means that more fundraising efforts may be in store for the metropolitan area.” The charity announced recently a 58% increase in demand for utility assistance versus last winter this time.

“The St. Louis area’s dangerously cold weather today dramatizes the need to help seniors, people with disabilities and low-income to working class neighbors living paycheck-to-paycheck and that need is greater than ever,” said Reverend Earl E. Nance, JR., treasurer of the all-volunteer board. “The St. Louis media and sponsors like Hardee’s, Ameren, Spire and Commerce Bank continue to throw out lifelines for those facing a national and local health and safety issue.”

Also, after Monday, anyone can donate by going online to Heatupstlouis.org or dropping off a check or money order made payable to Heat-Up St. Louis to any teller at an area Commerce Bank.100% of all public donations must go toward servicing the needs of the public. The all-volunteer board must underwrite all administrative costs, except when federal funding projects are involved.

Note: The 25th Annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat project is sponsored this year by Ameren, Hardee’s, Commerce Bank and Spire.

314-241-0001 (Senior & Disability Helpline)
Online Support:
Heatupstlouis.org
Heatupmissouri.org
Cooldownstlouis.org
Cooldownmissouri.org

It is Hardee’s “Rise and Shine for Heat Day” on February 14, Valentine’s Day from 6-10:30 a.m., at area participating Hardee’s in Illinois and Missouri. Ameren, Commerce Bank and Hardee’s are corporate sponsors and Spire is a co-sponsor. Hardee’s has continued to donate for the past 25 years egg biscuits and sausage biscuit products to the charitable cause. So, 100% of those proceeds will go to Heatupstlouis.org and its Illinois and Missouri partners.

Meanwhile the general public can drop off a dollar or more and receive a Hardee’s made-from-scratch sausage biscuit or egg biscuit for one dollar each on Valentine’s Day. While purchasing the biscuit product from Hardee’s team members, the 755 volunteers will be spread throughout the St. Louis region taking up extra dough (tips) including cash or checks payable to the charity. 100% of all combined funds collected that day would go to Heat-Up St. Louis and some of its partnering Illinois and Missouri charities. Despite any rain, sleet or snow the project will continue.

The St. Louis local media are invited to do live news breaks with many newsmakers, who are volunteers of Heatupstlouis.org. After Friday, Hardee’s will continue to take canister donations and round-up donations throughout the day through Monday, February 17. Those combined efforts along with major check presentations from area entities combined will go towards the overall results. Both Ameren, Spire, Affordable Housing Trust fund, Anthem and Commerce Bank and others will also be making significant contributions during Rise and Shine Day.

Heat-Up St. Louis has impacted the lives of about 1.8 million people throughout Missouri and Illinois and raised millions. Hardee’s annual regionwide fundraiser alone has raised more than $5 million from substantial gifts, and from the sales of Hardee’s sausage biscuits and egg biscuits. Since its inception the charity has received in donations about $50 million. The not-for-profit, public education and advocacy charity also has taken note that need knows no geographic boundaries.

January 2025 has been bitter cold accentuated with thick ice and deep snow in many parts of Missouri and Illinois. This extreme weather has driven-up utility usage. This is causing many fixed incomes, seniors and the physically and now the working class to cut back on necessities. When usage becomes abnormally high, so does utility bills. February has given Missouri and Illinois residents some relief of warmer temperatures, and a chance to catch up on their past due utility bills or a chance to review their tight home financial budgets. 

Extreme weather, Inflation and affordability still represent a struggling pocketbook. This adds overall to a public health and safety crisis for hundreds of seniors, people with disabilities, working poor and those with median incomes, who live paycheck-to-paycheck. The cost of natural gas and electricity is still a challenge for some area households. Heatupstlouis.org works with Ameren and Spire Energy to help change the landscape related to affordability with aggressive positive utility programs and projects to ensure that rate payers have options to keep down the cost of their monthly utility bills.

In addition, hundreds of heads of households may not qualify for federal funds or may need additional funding. That is where the annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine donors come in because there are less application barriers. The economy and weather conditions are so turbulent, Heat-Up St. Louis fear more families sliding off the safety net to borderline homelessness or emotional despair. The high demand for utility assistance since November has risen to about a 58% increase versus last winter heating season. Heatupstlouis.org continues to work with its utility partners of additional ways to help the ratepayers shore up their household expenses related to energy. 

100% of all proceeds will stay in the communities where funds were collected to keep neighbors in need warm, for instance in the bi-state area, as far away as Jefferson, Lincoln, Pike, and Warren counties in Missouri, and Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois and other Missouri counties, including St. Charles, and St. Louis County, and the City of St. Louis. Some partners are Urban League Metropolitan St. Louis, CAASTLC, Northeast Community Action Agencies, Sal Army, Catholic Urban Programs, and St. Vincent DePaul, just to mention a few.

“This is a media neutral event, and community outreach annual program where the St. Louis media has made a significant contribution to ensuring that those without a primary heating source or those being threatened with utility disconnections get the help they need,” said Ben Turec board president of Heatupstlouis.org. “Often some area heads of households do not qualify for federal, state, or local funds, so the Rise and Shine resources become an economic lifeline. This is why it is so important to ensure that funds from events such as Rise and Shine are bundled with other funding sources, to help drive down extremely high energy bills.”

“Wintertime 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 bi-state chair of the Health and Safety Committee at Heatupstlouis.org, also representing the Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis. “It’s important to work with the utilities and keep your primary home heating source connected, especially during the extreme weather where temperature hit some very dangerous lows.’ 

Earlier this winter there were some unnecessary home and apartment fires. Some due to the use of unsafe methods of heating, etc. Heaters should not be used as primary heating sources because they are not safe and not cost-effective. 

Area civic, business, religious, first-responders, media and civic leaders have been invited to contribute to this year’s event and serve as community hosts at area participating Hardee’s shaking their canisters. The media will receive the names of those spokespersons in advance of their appearances at area local participating Hardee’s in Illinois and Missouri.

After Monday, February 17, anyone can make a secure donation with a scan from public service spots; or by dropping off a donation to any teller, at Commerce Bank via a check or money order payable to Heat-Up St. Louis and online at Heatupstlouis.org. The 67 all-volunteer board of directors underwrite all administration costs, so all public donations go directly to servicing the needy of Missouri and Illinois residents who qualify.

In 1999, Heat-Up St. Louis’ mission was being drafted by Attorney John Fox Arnold, as a public education, advocacy, and utility assistance charity for Gentry Trotter. The Internal Revenue Service then granted a not-for-profit status in 2000, because of the proposed needs being significant, at the time. The first fundraising effort was selling donated hats from the Bee Hat Building on Washington Avenue as a charity. Hardee’s joined the ‘Rise and Shine for Heat” project, almost 10 years prior to the birth of Heat-Up St. Louis, a charity (Heatupstlouis.org). Hardee’s was using the campaign across the United States to help many of its existing local community charities.