Minnesota Power Foundation gives $25K to HeatShare program
Minnesota Power Foundation more than doubled its customers’ generous contributions to The Salvation Army’s HeatShare program. A check for $25,000 from the foundation bounces the total giving to $46,716. HeatShare funds pay utilities bills for low-income families in crisis.
“We didn’t have to suffer through record breaking cold temperatures to know that heat is important for Northlanders,” said Major Bill Cox, Duluth Salvation Army. “There are never enough dollars to cover the requests for heating help. Having this kind of support from, not only the wonderful Minnesota Power customers, but also from the foundation – it is invaluable.”
With the cold weather experienced in the past two months, heating bills will be the highest the state has seen in several years. The Salvation Army is the last resort for individuals and families without other options. HeatShare funds are particularly targeted to seniors and disabled community members.
“Most of the time people come to us with a specific request for heating help,” said Cox. “Sometimes they come with other needs, like food shelf or hot meals, and we discover other ways to help. Other times, we discover a way to help purely by accident.”
Once such time was when Duluth Development Director Gordon Mesedahl was at a local auto parts store. In a conversation with the clerk, he found out about the man’s aunt who was struggling with paying for fuel oil for the winter.
“His aunt was living alone, in her 60s, and had just lost her job at a restaurant some months earlier,” said Mesedahl. “I knew this was just the type of person The Salvaiton Army HeatShare program was meant for. I left him my card and within a few days his aunt had her fuel tank filled. Both were immensely grateful for the help.”
HeatShare donations are urgently needed due to the extreme cold weather. Give online or send a check to your local Salvation Army.
Pictured: Major Bill Cox, Duluth Salvation Army leader; Aimee Curtis, Minnesota Power Foundation Administrator and Community Relations ; Luann LaValley, Minnesota Power Director of Customer Service; Marcia Campbell, Minnesota Power Credit & Collections Manager; Mike McGlone, Salvation Army HeatShare Administrator, Nancy Leslie, Duluth Salvation Army Basic Needs Assistance Coordinator.