Heat-Up St. Louis Hits A Record High of $185,000, During The 14th Annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat Valentine’s Day Weekend Regional Fundraiser; And St. Louis City’s Affordable Housing Commission Awards $155,000 Utility Assistance Funds
The 14th Annual Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine for Heat, annual fundraiser benefitting Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., the regional not-for-profit charity helping seniors and disabled with their heating bills in Missouri and Illinois has raised a record-breaking $185,000.00 (so far) – a 48% increase over last year’s efforts of $125,000.00, despite the gloomy weather. However, Hardee’s is continuing its canister collection through the weekend, and this year the regional charity is promoting for the next week, a virtual canister collection on its secured website of www.heatupstlouis.org.
The money raised, so far was through the duel-efforts of the sale of Hardee’s made-from-scratch, Sausage ‘N Egg biscuit sandwiches, and tips given to 600 volunteers serving as “celebrity greeters” through more than 60 participating Hardee’s restaurants in the greater metropolitan area of Missouri and Illinois. These funds will remain in the areas collected to help qualify needy people. In addition, the City of St. Louis has awarded a $155,000 utility assistance contract through the Affordable Housing Commission in partnership with Heat-Up St, Louis and the City’s Department of Health. HUSTL will administer the distribution and qualification of city residents over the next several months. These funds are targeted throughout the St. Louis region, and the City of St. Louis respectively for the qualified seniors, disabled and needy households.
In addition tax-deductible donations can be sent Heat-Up St. Louis, Inc., c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, and St. Louis, MO 63188.
“Despite the threatening weather, Valentine’s Day was very special as we increased our volunteer efforts, and so far our canister collections and the sale of Hardee’s Sausage ‘N Egg Biscuits,” said Melanie DiLeo, Board Chairwoman. “We’re indebted to the 600 volunteers and the generosity of the public who came out to Hardee’s to support their least fortunate neighbors.” DiLeo encourages the public to continue to give as she insists the need is far greater than what was collected today. The St. Louis Rams Football Club, NFL, AmerenMissouri, and Home State Health also made donations to the Rise and Shine campaign.
The St. Louis electronic and social media played a significant role this year. All of the major local television networks, and radio groups, and independent radio stations provided various live-reports, or remotes from various greater St. Louis area Hardee’s. The media also provided an enormous amount of public service announcements to pre-promote the annual fundraiser, including the local print media, who also contributed donated space.
“Being without a heating source has become a regional health and dangerous safety issue,” said Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr., board chair emeritus. “The media pounded away, the volunteers begged away, the public gave-a-way, and Hardee’s baked away, so we’re indebted for everyone’s generosity.”