Cool Down St. Louis Checks On Neighbors With St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay Continues With Its Efforts, As Long As Utility Funding and Air-Conditioning Supplies Last

(Dutchtown) — While the City of St. Louis prepared for the upcoming heat emergency in response to the forecast of temperature indexes to surpass100 degrees, Cool Down St. Louis, a regional public education, and summer energy assistance charity also began to re-tool its all-volunteer efforts with several of outreach programs, utility assistance and air-conditioning distributions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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