Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA—Temperatures in January 2009 averaged 39 degrees — 4 degrees below the average temperature in Northern Virginia in January. The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative reports that colder weather increased power demand in January and made paying heating bills extra challenging for low-income and unemployed people. NOVEC is asking area residents to help local needy people heat their homes by donating to the Cooperative's Operation Round Up program. Because NOVEC absorbs all administration costs, 100 percent of all other donations go into the fund.
Donna Snellings, NOVEC's community liaison, says the poor economy and job losses, combined with colder than usual weather, make the need for heating assistance acute. "Colder weather and the economic downturn have caused many area residents to ask for heating assistance. Unfortunately, contributions to the ORU fund are down this year. That's why we're urging area residents and customers to contribute as much as they can to help their less fortunate neighbors stay warm."
NOVEC customer-owners who participate in Operation Round Up authorize NOVEC to round up their monthly electric bills to the next dollar. For example, if the bill is $69.54, NOVEC will round it up to $70 and put the extra 46¢ in the ORU fund. Customers may join ORU by logging on to www.novec.com/ORU12 or calling NOVEC's customer service center, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 703-335-0500 or toll-free 1-888-335-0500.
All area residents, whether NOVEC customers or not, may donate to the fund. Checks should be payable to NOVEC Operation Round Up and mailed to: P.O. Box 2710, Manassas, VA 20108.
Operation Round Up sends donations to:
- The Salvation Army, Loudoun
- The Salvation Army, Fairfax
- Action in Community Through Service (ACTS), Prince William
- Securing Emergency Resources through Volunteer Efforts, Inc. (SERVE), Prince William
- SERVE, Inc., Stafford
- Fauquier Family Shelter Services, Fauquier
These organizations distribute funds to help disadvantaged people pay their heating bills.
During winter 2008, Operation Round Up provided approximately $48,000 to more than 600 needy families. NOVEC customers have contributed more than $440,000 since the program's inception in 1997.
People who need assistance should contact the Virginia Department of Social Services by calling 2-1-1, or by visiting www.dss.state.va.us/benefit/ea/fuel/index.html.
