Feb. 08, 2007
PGE helps Oregon HEAT warm hearts and homes in time for Valentine’s Day
PGE customer donations help thousands of families stay warm this winter
Tualatin, Ore. — PGE and Oregon HEAT are working together this February to help thousands of low-income Oregon families pay their electricity bills during the winter months. For 14 years, PGE has included donation envelopes in customers’ electricity bills. Oregon HEAT uses the funds to assist families who cannot afford to heat and light their homes. PGE customers may use the envelopes to donate directly to Oregon HEAT. Donations are spent in the local communities from which they come.
Oregon HEAT is a nonprofit organization located in Tualatin that works year-round to help low-income families meet their energy needs and achieve energy self reliance. Oregon HEAT works with 34 local social service agencies to distribute funds. Last year, Oregon HEAT distributed $1.8 million to Oregon households in PGE's service territory, including help for almost 7,000 low-income PGE customer households.
“Some 419,000 households in Oregon are at risk of not meeting their basic needs of heat, light, food, medicine or a roof over their head,” said Roger Rees, Oregon HEAT executive director. “The generous commitment of PGE customers helps Oregon HEAT reach families who need short-term help due to accidents, illness of other crisis. We are so thankful for the help of PGE customers and employees. This is a great example of how an Oregon company practices ‘neighbor helping neighbor.’”
PGE customers and employees make up a large part of Oregon HEAT’s total contributions, donating more than $200,000 since July 2006. PGE has also supported the organization with corporate contributions including in-kind donations of office space, telephones and other assistance.
To make a donation, PGE customers may use the Oregon HEAT donation envelope included in their February billing statements. They may also call Oregon HEAT directly at 503-612-3790 or visit the Oregon HEAT Web site.
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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 the Oregon HEAT Web site; call 503-612-3790; or write to Oregon HEAT, PO Box 127, Tualatin, Ore. 97062.
About Portland General Electric
Portland General Electric, headquartered in Portland, Ore., is a fully integrated electric utility that serves more than 793,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon.
For more information, contact:
Ariana White, PGE,
503-464-7078
Roger Rees, Oregon HEAT,
503-612-3790
