SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) -- With temperatures falling once again into the single digits, many Michiganders can rest easy tonight knowing the heat will stay on for local families in need.
Thanks to our generous listeners -- who spread the word on social media and and donated to the cause -- the 19th Annual Newsradio 950’s Annual Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW, The Heat and Warmth Fund raised $986,256 in heating assistance.
How does THAW help local residents? As the winter months set in and the days get colder, many of us turn up the heat and cozy in on chilly nights. Sadly, thousands of families in southeastern Michigan are faced with tough decisions when the weather gets cold. Oftentimes families on tight budgets cannot afford to keep up with heating their homes or keeping the lights on. These financial strains cause residents to choose between feeding their families, paying for medications or keeping warm.
For the past two years -- since the beginning of the pandemic -- more Michiganders have been staying at home, which means increased utility usage and higher bills. It has become more urgent than in years past to provide heating assistance to families across the state who are in dire need of help to survive the winter.
To assist local residents who are facing tough times, the funds raised by our listeners during the Radiothon directly benefit THAW agencies that provide low-income and vulnerable Michigan residents with payment assistance for heating and electricity bills.
For many, this means keeping families safe and the heat on during frigid winter months.
The good news: THAW continues to accept donations year-round! Just because the 2022 Radiothon has come to a close, it does not mean it's too late to give.
To open your heart and wallet to a neighbor in need, CLICK HERE to make a secure online donation now.
Last year, THAW assisted nearly 18,000 such struggling families thanks in part to the WWJ Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW. Over 92 cents of every single dollar raised by THAW goes directly to those in need, and THAW’s utility partners match every dollar that THAW raises so that $1 becomes $2 in energy assistance.
Alisa Jones, a recipient of benefits from the THAW program, reached out to them when her utility bill was very high and needed assistance. She said she appreciated the help she received from the customer service representatives and how they helped turn a negative situation into a positive.
"I was very worried -- it kind of felt like a nightmare -- I was like, 'Oh my god I do not know what I'm going to do if my lights and gas get cut off," she said. "When I turned to THAW I turned a negative into a positive, because they assisted me with my payments -- they took away that stress."
THAW offers a multitude of different programs for those to qualify for to receive assistance. Since Jones's son has Sickle Cell, she was able to qualify for the "I heal" program, which is for individuals with chronic health programs.
To those who may be hesitant to call THAW and ask for help, Jones said to put fear aside and just call.
Related
THAW also recently launched an energy program to help frontline workers with their utility bills. THAW CEO Saunteel Jenkins said families who make up to 250% of the federal poverty level can be assisted with up to $500 on gas, electricity, water or deliverable fuels, like wood or propane.
"Even though the essential workers are all working and getting paid, many still need help," she said. "THAW wants to make sure those who are putting their lives at risk every day being heroes for us don't have to worry about going home and facing an energy crisis."
For those who want to apply for utility assistance with their DTE or Consumers Energy bills, click here to complete the application, which Jenkins said should only take about 5 to 10 minutes.
Then submit documentation along with the utility bill you're asking for assistance with. Jenkins said THAW should be able to complete the payment in a week or so. The payment goes directly to the utility vendor.
Thank you to sponsors: DTE Energy, ITC, Deloitte, Operating Engineers Local 324, Mastercraft Heating, Cooling and Plumbing, Wallside Windows, Cheryl Bowker Allstate Agency and NECA/IBEW Local 58.
And most of all, thank you to our listeners for their help in making a difference in this year's WWJ Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW.