Blues and Rams Warm The Weekend With Dollar-Help
Teams to feature charity at games Saturday and Sunday
St. Louis (November 25, 2008) - The St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Rams have teamed up with Dollar-Help to assist needy families and individuals who struggle to pay their heating bills. Each team will promote the charity with concourse displays and recorded messages from players. Dollar-Help volunteers will also collect donations prior to the Blues game Saturday afternoon against Edmonton and the Rams contest versus Miami, Sunday at noon.
Rams Linebacker Will Witherspoon has returned for his third year as a Dollar-Help spokesman. He recorded a jumbotron message for fans at the game, as well as public service announcements to air during the Rams radio broadcast on KLOU and KTRS. On Monday, Witherspoon addressed students at Point Elementary in South County, explaining Dollar-Help's Warmthgiving program, which encourages kids throughout Eastern Missouri to operate hot chocolate stands during weekends in December with the proceeds going to the charity.
Blues forward Cam Janssen, a native St. Louisan, has joined Dollar-Help to promote the organization's “Check a Red Box” campaign, which reminds natural gas customers to donate $1, $2 or $5 to the charity monthly. Janssen's public service announcements will air on KMOX radio during each remaining Blues game through November.
“I am thrilled to have the support of these dedicated organizations,” said Dollar-Help President Dennis Kelley. “I encourage fans to take Dollar-Help's mission of caring to heart, and check a red box on their natural gas bills.”
St. Louis Rams Tackle The Cold By Supporting Dollar-Help
Will Witherspoon continues as a champion for the less fortunate
St. Louis (November 21, 2008) - Rams linebacker Will Witherspoon has once again teamed up with Dollar-Help, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that helps pay heating bills for low-income families and individuals in Eastern Missouri. Monday, November 24 at 1:00pm, Witherspoon will speak to students at Point Elementary, 6790 Telegraph Road in South County. He visited Tillman Elementary in 2006 and Fairway Elementary in 2007.
Witherspoon will address students on commitment to one's goals and the importance of community service. He will also explain Dollar-Help's Warmthgiving program, which encourages kids throughout the region to operate hot chocolate stands during weekends in December to benefit the charity. His appearance is in conjunction with the Rams' promotion of Dollar-Help during the November 30 game against Miami at the Edward Jones Dome. Witherspoon has recorded a message for fans attending the game. Dollar-Help will be featured at a table display on the concourse, and volunteers will be collecting donations at each gate prior to kickoff.
“On the field, I call the defensive plays. Today, I'm making a call on behalf of those whose voices are not always heard,” Witherspoon said. “The cold winter days and nights are especially hard on children and the elderly. We can all do our part to keep everyone warm this winter by supporting Dollar-Help.”
“We are incredibly grateful for ardent supporters like Will Witherspoon and the St. Louis Rams,” said Dollar-Help President Dennis Kelley. “For over 26 years, Dollar-Help has served those who struggle dearly at this time of year, and we appreciate everyone who continues to share the warmth with the needy throughout the region.”
Warmthgiving Warms Hearts & Homes
Area youth invited to host hot chocolate stands to benefit Dollar-Help
St. Louis (November 2008) - Weekends in December, Dollar-Help, Inc., a not-for-profit agency that helps low income families pay their heating bills, is asking youth of the St. Louis metropolitan area to help share the warmth by participating in the second annual Warmthgiving campaign. Young adults throughout the region can “take a stand” by hosting hot chocolate stands in their neighborhoods to raise awareness of Dollar-Help - as well as donations for area families in need. Dollar-Help provides funds for use with all types of heating sources including natural gas, electric, and propane.
Kids, with their parents' assistance, can visit www.dollarhelp.org for more information on how to get involved, as well as printable ads and signs for their own hot chocolate stands.
To kick off the excitement, Dierbergs will host hot chocolate stands at four locations on Saturday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participating Dierbergs include:
| Dierbergs Warson Woods 9901 Manchester Road St. Louis, MO 63122 |
Dierbergs 94 Crossing 6211 MidRivers Mall Drive St. Peters, MO 63304 |
| Dierbergs Telegraph Plaza 5640 Telegraph Road St. Louis, MO 63129 |
Dierbergs Wildwood Town Center 2460 Taylor Road Wildwood, MO 63040 |
Dierbergs, a Dollar-Help partner, is proud to be a part of the upcoming Warmthgiving event. “An important part of being in the community is giving back to the community,” said Greg Dierberg, president & CEO, “We are happy to provide support to help raise awareness of the great need in the St. Louis area for heating assistance this winter.” Dierbergs is also donating an Xbox gaming system as a prize to the individual who raises the most money through a hot chocolate stand.
Once again, the St. Louis Rams Middle Linebacker Will Witherspoon will be an ambassador for the program. In 2006, Witherspoon visited a Tilman Elementary School in Kirkwood. This year, Witherspoon has taped a series of public service announcements and will be visiting an area school in early December.
Dennis Kelley, president of Dollar-Help, is encouraged by the generous efforts to make the Warmthgiving campaign a success. “Last year we had a great inaugural event,” said Kelley. “Kids from all over hosted stands and, with Dierberg's help, nearly $2,000 was donated to Dollar-Help. At this critical time of year, every dollar counts. On behalf of the thousands of families we support each year, I express my gratitude and thanks to all who participate this year.”