Holiday Cards Benefit the Region's Most Vulnerable
St. Louis, MO (November 1, 2007 ) - Tim Delia is doing his part to make sure that St. Louis' most vulnerable have warm homes this winter. Delia, a fourth grader from Eureka, has donated artwork for a set of holiday cards being sold through Laclede Gas to benefit Dollar-Help, Inc.
Dollar-Help was created a quarter of a century ago by the late Sister Pat Kelley to provide energy assistance for the less fortunate in the region. In the past 25 years, Dollar-Help has given approximately $14.5 million in grants to help more than 35,000 families and individuals in St. Louis City, County and eight surrounding counties pay their home heating bills-including natural gas, electric, propane and fuel oil.
Since 1984, Laclede Gas has hosted a holiday drawing contest known as "The Scenes of the Season." This year, the contest was expanded to showcase the talents of young artists through the creation of a charitable holiday card program. Featuring designs from three of the 2006 finalists, production and materials costs have also been donated by St. Louis-based Advertisers Printing so that all proceeds from sales can go directly to Dollar-Help. Artwork from Delia, Macenzie Vaughn and Travis Meyers was selected by the Dollar-Help board of directors for use with the inaugural set.
"The Greater St. Louis community has always been generous in helping those in need," said Dennis Kelley, president of Dollar-Help. "I'm inspired knowing that the spirit of giving extends to our leaders of tomorrow. It�s wonderful that these young adults are giving their creations so that others can have heat this winter season. I find it equally inspiring that all services for the project have been donated so that 100 percent of the money raised can be distributed to those needing assistance."
The limited edition cards cost $15 a set and come in a box of 15. Each set features three designs. The sets are available at www.lacledegas.com, by calling Laclede at 314-342-0652 or through the Dollar-Help Web site at www.dollarhelp.org.
Dollar-Help, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that works with social service agencies in Eastern Missouri to provide financial assistance to people who cannot pay their heating bills. The administration of the donations by Dollar-Help directors, with the voluntary assistance of social service organizations and energy vendors, as well as the underwriting of all administrative and support services by Laclede Gas, make it possible for every dollar donated to Dollar-Help to go to qualified recipient households.