OREGON HEAT MARKS 22 YEARS OF HELPING PROVIDE WARMTH FOR RESIDENTS IN NEED
Posted: February 6th, 2012 1:11 PM
Media Contact:
Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power Feb.6, 2012
503-813-7291 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Roger Rees, Oregon HEAT
503-612-3790
Oregon HEAT marks 22 years of helping provide warmth for residents in need
Pacific Power encourages customers to help neighbors by donating via special envelopes sent to homes and businesses
TUALATIN, Ore. — Oregon HEAT is now in its third decade of helping our state's most vulnerable residents meet their energy needs. Pacific Power, which has been an Oregon HEAT partner since 1993, is in its second decade of supporting Oregon HEAT's mission as a donor and an advocate. In addition to company and employee support, Pacific Power is also urging customers who can afford it to donate to Oregon HEAT to help their neighbors who right now may be having trouble staying current with their energy bills.
In the 12-month period ending June 30, 2011, Oregon HEAT helped pay energy bills for more than 2,680 households in Oregon communities served by Pacific Power. That need is expected to be at least as great this year, according to recent national surveys.
"Oregon HEAT continues to be a tremendous asset to the state and that's why we are so proud to partner with them," said Pat Reiten, president of Pacific Power. "Donations sent to Oregon HEAT target warming the homes of our neighbors who need help. That's an extraordinary and worthwhile achievement and we encourage you to support the effort, too, by donating whatever you can."
Pacific Power customers will start seeing blue-bordered Oregon HEAT envelopes with their February bills. These donations go directly to Oregon HEAT. Last year, almost $118,000 in donations came in from Oregon customers and Pacific Power employees and retirees. The company added to that significantly, more than doubling the contribution with more than $277,000 from shareholder and PacifiCorp Foundation funds.
"Oregon's overall economy is sluggish to recover, but we are thankful for Pacific Power's concern for low-income families and its long-standing support of Oregon HEAT's work to serve this vital and vulnerable sector of our communities," said Roger Rees, executive director of Oregon HEAT.
That need is felt directly at the more than two dozen local community agencies that administer Oregon HEAT funds. Low-income families or individuals who need help apply at one of these agencies located throughout the state. Local agency staff reviews the applications for assistance, verifying eligibility to ensure that only people with a genuine need receive help from Oregon HEAT. Once a household is approved, Oregon HEAT pays the energy provider on their behalf, rather than giving cash directly to the individual requesting help.
Local agencies began taking applications and releasing Oregon HEAT funds in October. For a list of local agencies go to: http://www.oregonheat.org/19-partners
Contributions to Oregon HEAT are tax deductible and can be made by using donation envelopes included with February Pacific Power electric bills, by phone at 503-612-3790 or online at www.oregonheat.org. Credit cards can be used for online and phone donations. Pacific Power will make additional mailings in June. For more information, go to: http://www.pacificpower.net/res/fa.html
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About Oregon HEAT
Oregon HEAT is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 1989 to help low-income Oregonians become more energy self-reliant. In partnership with community agencies throughout the state, Oregon HEAT provides energy assistance and advocates access to energy resources for low-income Oregonians. Oregon HEAT's primary program objective is to prevent disconnection of utility service by providing bill payment assistance to low-income households in emergency situations. To donate to, or learn more about Oregon HEAT visit www.oregonheat.org, call 503-612-3790; or write to Oregon HEAT, P.O. Box 127, Tualatin, Ore. 97062.
About Pacific Power
Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 733,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. Our goal is to provide our customers with value for their energy dollar, and safe, reliable electricity. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 1.7 million customers in six western states. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net.
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