1/4/2005
Media Contact:
Jo Lynn Garing, [317] 327-3690
Mary Kinney, UWCI, [317] 921-1224 |
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Mayor's office, United Way kick-off Winter Assistance Drive with pledges totaling $150,000
INDIANAPOLIS - Deputy Mayor Jane Henegar and United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) President Ellen K. Annala today kicked off the Winter Assistance Fund drive by accepting a $50,000 check from the Nina Mason Pulliam Trust, $50,000 from IPL and $50,000 from Citizens Gas. The fund helps low-income individuals and families avoid having their gas or electricity turned off during the winter months.
"The Winter Assistance Fund is important to many working families who struggle to make ends meet," Deputy Mayor Henegar said. "We're fortunate in Indianapolis to have such a generous corporate and nonprofit community. The participation of these companies is crucial to the fund's success."
Last year, the fund raised $306,000 and helped 1,611 households, including seniors and families with children.
All homeowners face double-digit increases in heating bills this winter, no matter how they heat their homes, according to the Energy Department's Winter Fuels Outlook 2004-2005. A severely cold winter could push the impact even higher. "This program is about so much more than keeping people warm for today. For many families, it can put a halt to the downward cycle that can lead to homelessness. And that's in all of our interests," said Ellen K. Annala, president and chief executive officer of UWCI.
One indicator of local need is that HELPLINE/2-1-1, a telephone information and referral service, reports that calls for utility assistance accounted for about 11 percent of all recorded needs in 2004, rising from 6,506 calls to 9,470. Of those calls, 66 percent were left as "unmet" because financial resources were insufficient.
"The longstanding support of the Winter Assistance Fund by Citizens Gas is an outgrowth of our status as the only utility in the nation operated as a Public Charitable Trust, strictly for the benefit of our customers," said Greg Sawyers, Director of Customer Services for the utility. "Helping customers in need will always be a key part of our mission to serve all the citizens of Marion County."
"Indianapolis Power & Light has been a major contributor to the Winter Assistance Fund since the Fund's inception in 1983," said Darrell Morton, of IPL customer services. "This year, we're pleased to once again make a contribution in the amount of $50,000. IPL is proud to continue its support of the Winter Assistance Fund, through which so many central Indiana residents will receive funds enabling them to heat their homes during this year's cold season."
The Winter Assistance Fund is for people whose income exceeds guidelines for government energy assistance, yet still have difficulty keeping up with high winter heating bills. Given increased needs, organizers want to raise at least $325,000 this year.
As fiscal agent for the program, United Way coordinates WAF fundraising. It's part of a range of family strengthening strategies for which UWCI brings together people from government, business, faith groups, nonprofits and citizens to address the root causes of problems by seeking to change the conditions that led to them to begin with, Annala said.
Customers of IPL and Citizens Gas and Coke Utility receive WAF contribution envelopes in their gas and electric bills, making it easier for individuals to donate to the fund.
Donations are tax deductible and can be mailed to:
Winter Assistance Fund
Post Office Box 660054
Indianapolis, IN 46266-0054
To apply for help through the Winter Assistance Fund, individuals should go to a convenient community center or township trustee office. For a complete list of locations, call 693-7626 or visit www.uwci.org. For more information or to make a donation please call 924-1454.
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