Christmas is just around the corner, and while some of us are still searching for last-minute gifts, some in our community, especially parents, are agonizing over which bills will get paid this month and how to keep the heat on.
“Holidays are a very difficult time of year for struggling families,” Community Care Manager Chiharu Russell said. “Not only are home energy bills the highest in winter, parents in a financial crisis feel a whole host of negative emotions due to their financial situation, and those are made worse by being unable to give their kids a normal Christmas.”
For many families, all it takes is one accident or unforeseen event to send their household budgets into a spiral. Suddenly, people who were doing fine find themselves wondering what bills need to be paid today and which ones can be put off until tomorrow.
Clark Public Utilities believes no one should have to go without heating their homes, no matter how challenging times can be. That’s why the utility created Operation Warm Heart. The program helps families in financial crisis that may not qualify for other forms of assistance pay down electric bills.
“Operation Warm Heart has helped thousands of people, many of whom never needed financial assistance until an emergency turned their lives upside down,” Russell said. “This program is a lifeline — but it wouldn’t exist without the donations from the generous people in our community.”
Since 1985, Operation Warm Heart has provided more than $4.4 million to about 17,000 limited-income households in crisis.
Customers like you are central to helping Operation Warm Heart’s success in bringing warmth and comfort to the homes of our community members during tough times.
This season, consider making a tax-deductible donation to Operation Warm Heart. Customer and employee contributions are a perpetual source of funding that supports limited-income families. Each and every dollar you donate goes to helping people in need.
Giving is easy and flexible. Simply add an ongoing contribution to your monthly utility payment, or make a one-time donation through MyAccount at ClarkPublicUtilities.com. You can also call customer service at 360-992-3000. Donations can be made in any amount you choose.
You can support local families and buy a great gift for the athlete in your life by purchasing a registration for the upcoming Race for Warmth.
The $30 registration fee gets you a long-sleeve performance tech shirt, participation medal, a bib number and a goodie bag loaded with items and coupons from our local business partners, thanks to generous local business partners including Area Heating & Cooling, New Tradition Homes, Columbia Credit Union and Burgerville. Every registration dollar goes directly to Operation Warm Heart.
The annual Race for Warmth, a timed 5K walk/run and 10K run, is set for Jan. 29. It will be held at the Electric Center at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way.
Register today at raceforwarmth.com.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
