Melanie DiLeo Becomes First Chairwoman To Head Heat-Up St. Louis The Regional Cooling and Heating Assistance Programs Garnered A Fundraising Record of $325,000, Aiding 12,500 Needy Individuals
June 25, 2004: Melanie DiLeo was elected today as the first female chairwoman of the 43-member, all volunteer board of directors of Heat-Up St. Louis, the largest independent energy assistance and advocacy charity, covering 18 counties in Missouri and Illinois and the City of St. Louis. She replaces the Reverend Earl E. Nance. DiLeo is vice president of community relations for Citigroup. In addition, the board elected James H. Buford, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and noted vascular surgeon Dr. James Knight as its vice chairpersons. They will assume their respective offices immediately. Reverend Nance will concentrate on fundraising with all of the faiths in the St. Louis region.
The announcements were made at the not-for-profit’s annual business meeting held earlier today at the Urban League’s headquarters at 3701 Grandel Square.
In addition, Gentry W. Trotter, the founder of Heat-Up St. Louis and Cool Down St. Louis, who serves as the president and CEO, a pro bono position announced today the group had received a recording-breaking $325,000 in donations from the past 12 months. The group reported it had helped more than 12,500 individuals through its resource hotline, utility counseling, and providing cooling and heating grants for the restoration of utility bills,. The group has provided more than 400 air-conditioners last summer which were donated by the public and Best Buy.
Tax-deductible donations can be made to Cool Down St.Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188. Air-conditioners can be donated by calling 314-241-7668, or going on line to 100% of donations help the poor, as all administrative cost are underwritten by the all-volunteer board members.
Next week, the sister program to Heat-Up St.Louis, Cool Down St.Louis, begins on-going distribution of utility grants and air-conditioners for at risk-groups, i.e, seniors, disabled and small children who are critically-ill.
New board members elected at today’s meeting were: Tim Dorsey, president and general manager of KTRS, Dr. Charlene Jones, assistant superintendent, St. Louis Police Schools, St. Louis Police Chief Joe Mokwa, Steve Lemley, vice president of field marketing, Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc., Attorney Richard M. Wise, CPA, John Kijowski, vice president and general manager of WSSM-FM/WVRV-FM, Nancy Rice, vice president of Vigilant Communications and Harold Crumpton, former Missouri Public Service Commissioner.