Contributions Sought for Matching Donations Program to Aid Those in Need With High Energy Bills
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (January 24, 2001) – To assist local residents struggling with unusually high energy bills resulting from a record cold winter, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation is asking the public and its employees to join the cooperative in a matching funds campaign to provide emergency assistance for those in critical situations. Donations are tax deductible.
Through the end of February, the cooperative will match every dollar donated up to $50,000. The funds will be distributed through the cooperative’s charitable BREMCare program to local helping agencies with staff who qualify and select recipients in need of assistance—a process that’s been in place since 1986. “We are fortunate to already have the program in place and agencies ready so that we can act fast during this unusual time of need,” said Doug Johnson, chief executive officer, Blue Ridge Electric.
Emergency relief funds will be made available to local residents needing assistance with any type of energy bill, including electric, propane, heating fuel, kerosene, etc.
“We understand the serious effects that extremely cold weather and rising energy costs have presented to families everywhere this winter, and this is one way we believe Blue Ridge Electric can help,” said Johnson. “Blue Ridge has
held electric rates steady for the eighth consecutive year, and as a cooperative business operating on the philosophy that we should help those we serve, we believe this is the right thing to do for our communities.”
Those interested in making a donation should contact their local Blue Ridge Electric office or mail their contribution to the cooperative, in charge of Grey Scheer, director of community relations, at PO Box 112, Lenoir, NC, 28645. Checks should be made payable to BREMCare.
Those interested in applying for BREMCare funds should contact their county’s Department of Social Services.
Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation is a cooperative utility serving over 62,000 members in Watauga, Caldwell, Ashe and Alleghany counties as well as parts of Wilkes and Alexander counties. Its subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, provides propane, heating fuel, kerosene, hearth products, and commercial gasoline to a growing territory from offices in Boone, Lenoir, Morganton, and West Jefferson.
