DC students team up with Black Hills Energy on "Walk for Warmth"

Door-to-door campaign is Thursday, Jan. 28

David City Middle School students will conduct a door-to-door fundraising campaign in David City Jan. 28 to raise funds for Black Hills Cares, Black Hills Energy's energy assistance program that is administered by The Salvation Army.

Proceeds will be available for use by Butler County families needing financial assistance with energy costs. Black Hills Energy will match the proceeds of the campaign, as it does for all Black Hills Cares proceeds, dollar-for-dollar.

"All David City Middle School students annually participate in a community service project," said Tom Jahde, principal. "Normally, we have four different DC Middle School projects, but the students and teaching staff determined this project was especially worthy in these economic times and chose to put all efforts into the one project. In addition to learning how to plan and implement a project, these students will learn the value of helping others in need."

Chip Wical, Black Hills Energy operations supervisor, said, "Thank you to the David City Middle School students and staff for their partnership and to the community for their support of this project. It will be educational for the kids and at the same time help those in David City and the surrounding area who - due to age, health or financial limitations - are having difficulties paying their winter heating bills. Our highest priority is providing safe, reliable natural gas service; the last thing we want is for anyone to be living in an unheated home."

Major Richard Rubottom of The Salvation Army reported, "We are seeing an increased need for energy assistance in all our service areas. This philanthropic student project will prove to be valuable for Butler County residents."

Many area retailers are supporting the event. The stores will have canisters and their customers can contribute by dropping their pocket change into the jars.

Black Hills Cares has provided more than $600,000 of assistance to Nebraska residents since its inception in 2001. The funds are available to help lower income families with energy costs, including natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, propane and wood. Funds may also be used for weatherization and home heating/cooling equipment repair.

If residents have concerns about paying energy bills, they should first contact their utilities and make payment arrangements, if possible. If it is determined that payment assistance is essential, the next contact for Butler County residents would be the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services in Seward at 402-643-6614. Residents can make application for assistance on-line at ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov. This first step will qualify the applicant and validate information that is required for eligibility to many programs, including Black Hills Cares.

Black Hills Energy serves 197,400 natural gas customers in 110 eastern Nebraska communities. Black Hills Energy is part of Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) - a diversified energy company with a tradition of exemplary service and a vision to be the energy partner of choice - based in Rapid City, S.D., with corporate offices in Denver and Omaha. The company serves 759,000 natural gas and electric utility customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. The company's non-regulated businesses generate wholesale electricity, produce natural gas, oil and coal, and market energy. Black Hills employees partner to produce results that improve life with energy. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.

Nebraska Black Hills Cares eligibility requirements

Applicants for energy assistance may apply in person or by telephone to The Salvation Army

Applicants who meet HHS LIHEAP income guidelines for assistance should apply there first, as NE HHS can validate personal information and determine eligibility for Black Hills Cares assistance and other programs. After an application has been received by The Salvation Army, an inquiry will be made to the utility. The administrator will determine if other assistance agencies have made pledges and the amount required to keep the utility turned on or to reconnect service.

The administrator may pledge payment to the utilities using whatever systems the utilities provide.

Payments shall be made to the utility within 15 days of the pledge date.

Applicants may apply for assistance from other public or private agencies. Assistance from another agency does not automatically disqualify client for assistance.

To quality for assistance from the HeatShare program:

Applicants must be income eligible, as follows:

Number of residents

Income limits

Number of residents

Income limits

One person

$20,000

Two people

$25,000

Three people

$30,000

Four people

$35,000

Five people

$40,000

More than five

$45,000

Individuals 60 years of age or older, disabled/handicapped, having a physician's statement verifying that without heat, it would be detrimental to their health; or customers whose income level is such that financial assistance from the HeatShare Program would relieve substantial need. Applicants must reside in the designated area where funds are raised for Black Hills Cares.

Individuals and families whose immediate resources, because of illness, recent unemployment, or unexpected expenses, are inadequate to meet their heating needs, are not required to meet the previous criteria for consideration of assistance.

Verification:

To meet program guidelines, the following verification may be requested, including:

1. Annual income or two months current-year pay stubs.

2. Driver's license or NE State ID for elderly, if applicable.

3. Disability, handicap, or current letter from a doctor requesting assistance for health reasons.

4. Proof of residency at the premise if the utilities are not in the client's name.

5. Notice of Disconnection or copy of last utility bill.

Grants: Assistance will not exceed $450.00 and assistance is available only once per year.

Types of assistance:

Natural gas, electricity, wood, fuel oil and propane gas

Home heating/cooling equipment repair/weatherization

These are guidelines and on occasion, due to extenuating circumstances, a client may be given special consideration.