St. Louis area children raise money for Dollar-Help by hosting hot chocolate stands around St. Louis
Not-for-profit announces Warmthgiving Weekend will become an annual event
St. Louis (December 20, 2006) - Dollar-Help, Inc., a not-for-profit agency that helps pay heating bills for low income families, today issued a big “thank you” to area children who helped “Share the Warmth” by participating in St. Louis’ first ever Warmthgiving Weekend, Dec. 8 - 10. Kids throughout the St. Louis region were invited to “take a stand” by hosting hot chocolate stands in their neighborhoods to raise awareness and donations for those in need.
To get the momentum started, Dierbergs hosted a pre-Warmthgiving Weekend stand at its Mackenzie Pointe Store on December 2. Will Witherspoon from the St. Louis Rams ran a stand at Tillman Elementary School in Kirkwood December 5. Adam Timmerman from the Rams and his wife, Jana, recorded radio and t.v. spots for the cause. These can be seen at www.dollarhelp.org.
“Children throughout the St. Louis region embraced the campaign and hosted hot chocolate stands in their neighborhoods all over our area,” Dennis Kelley, President of Dollar-Help, Inc. said. “Funds are still pouring in. We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to the campaign,” he added. Kelley has announced that Warmthgiving Weekend will become an annual event, taking place the second weekend after Thanksgiving each year.
Kelley said, “From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank each and every child and family who helped “Share the Warmth” this winter by participating. One hundred percent of monies received by Dollar-Help go directly to helping those in need. Their efforts will help ensure that our neighbors do not have to suffer in cold homes this winter.”
“The wonderful thing about Dollar-Help is that it has always been very accessible; it is a cause that people of all income levels can relate to - and support. Most of our funds are raised through people checking a red box and donating a dollar or more a month to help those in need. Warmthgiving Weekend enabled us to boost our fundraising and to engage the young people in our communities in the cause to help raise awareness of the great need that exists.”
Funds raised by Warmthgiving Weekend are still coming in; nearly $2000 ($1,952) has so far been received. Children who raised the most money over Warmthgiving Weekend will be awarded with congratulatory certificates and signed Rams memorabilia to acknowledge their efforts. Dollar-Help encourages children who missed out on Warmthgiving Weekend, but who would still like to host a hot chocolate stand for Dollar-Help to visit www.dollarhelp.org for more information, tips on running a stand, and for downloadable signs and flyers.