Energy assistance for low-income Oregon families

I can hear the lyrics, Baby Its Cold Outside; the melodic sounds of Natalie Cole and James Taylor belting out the tune.   It makes me think of the great season we are about to embrace.  I look forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, all fun and exciting parts of the winter season.  Unfortunately many Oregon households are bracing for the upcoming season in a much different way – they can’t afford their heating bills and are trying to figure out a way to stay warm in their homes with no heat or electricity.  In Oregon, there are more than 435,000 people who potentially need help heating their homes due to inability to pay for their heating utility source.  Last year, only one in five families was able to receive the help they needed to keep their heat on during the winter months.

Global Giving donors have stepped up to the plate for several years now to help neighbors in their communities.  To date thus far, there has been over $6,000 in donations from Global Giving donors.  We appreciate every donor and the funds raised go to help people who are struggling to keep their heat on.  It takes an average of $300 to help just one family with their heat emergency.  For example, a young women and her daughter last year were about to get their electricity shut off due to under employment and some medical bills that had mounted up.  With donations we received from caring people - like our Global Giving Donors – this young family was able to keep their heat on and made it through the winter in a warm and safe home.

So when you hear the lyrics – “Baby its cold outside… “Just think about the many families, perhaps right in your neighborhood, who are struggling to keep their heat on and could have a cold and dark home this winter.  If you could spare just $25 or even $50 dollars to put toward some family’s heating bill, you could make their home warm and bright this season! – donate today.

Links:

• Oregon HEAT Website

 
Sometimes donors are afraid to give because they think their donation does not have any impact.  Oregon HEAT in its work to give low-income Oregonians emergency energy assistance, hear from donors all the time that if someone needs $300 to help turn their heat back on, how is their $25 donation going to help a family in need?  We are here to let everyone know how the impact can be felt to all the families that are out there suffering from no heat in their homes.

In the fiscal year 2012-13, Oregon HEAT helped over 5,000 households with heat and lights to keep their homes warm and bright. That was more than 15,000 people who did not have to be in a cold and dark home last winter.  This included 6,251 children, 1,691 seniors and 1,483 disable persons. In order to serve all those households Oregon HEAT took in more than 13,500 donations totaling $1,566,000.  That makes the average donation just $116.  So with everyone donating as little as $25 or as large as $2,500 or even more, it all adds up.  Global giving donors have given 31 donations totaling just over $6,000 since our Energy Assistance for Low-Income Oregon Families Project began. Those donations have made an impact in the lives of the families that critically needed heat and lights in their homes.

Many times donors just need to hear that their donations, no matter how small can truly make an impact.  When we add up all the donations large and small, Oregon HEAT is able to make a big impact in the lives of Oregon Families.  So as you are thinking of making that donation this fall, don’t forget that whether it is $25 or it is $2,500, every donation counts - no donation is too little.

Links:

• Oregon HEAT Web Site
• Oregon HEAT's Facebook Page