Dollar-Help Sets Record - Raises More Than $1 Million
St. Louis, MO (September 19, 2007) - For the first time in its 25-year history, Dollar-Help, Inc., has raised more than $1 million during its calendar year, which ended June 30. This allowed the non-profit to assist more than 3,100 area families and individuals with heating bills last winter. The average grant amount for a household is $300; for families facing extreme circumstances grants of up to $700 can be made.
Dollar-Help is a not-for-profit agency established in 1982 to help the region's most vulnerable residents pay heating bills of all types - gas, electric, and propane. The agency serves families in a 9-county region of Eastern Missouri.
"Many are still paying off last winter's heating bills, and are anxious about how they will survive another winter," said Dennis Kelley, president of Dollar-Help. "The donations we've collected over the past year helped meet the increased need we are seeing for assistance. We are grateful that we have such strong community support for our program and hope to see that support continue this winter."
On October 1, the charity will provide an initial allocation to each of the seven social service agencies in the region which qualify eligible families to be awarded with grants. Subsequent allocations are made during the winter, spring and summer depending on available funding.
Since its inception in 1982, Dollar-Help has distributed more than $14.5 million in heating assistance. The typical Dollar-Help recipient has an annual household income of $6,500 or less. The majority are elderly, handicapped or families with young children.
"Dollar-Help is a source of last resort for assistance with heating bills," said Kelley. "In order to continue serving those in need we are hoping for and counting on the support from each of the communities served."