Dollar-Help Receives NFFN Advocacy/Awareness Campaign Award
Non-Profit Raised More Than $968,000 for St. Louis Region.
St. Louis (July 18, 2006) – Dollar-Help, Inc. was awarded first place in the Advocacy/Awareness campaign category at the National Fuel Funds Network’s 22nd Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. June 12. The award was presented to Gloria Thirdkill, Community Services Manager at Laclede Gas, for Dollar-Help’s “Check a Red Box” campaign.
“We are pleased to be recognized by NFFN for our efforts to help the needy with their heating bills,” said Dennis Kelley, president of Dollar-Help. “Raising awareness is the first step in helping our neighbors. We try to get the word out through many different means, all year long, not just during the winter.”
In fiscal year 2006, Dollar-Help raised more than $968,000 for families in St. Louis City and nine surrounding counties. 100% of donations go directly to help pay heating bills. Various social service agencies distribute the Dollar-Help donations to needy families.
Dollar-Help was recognized for “developing user-friendly and understandable information, distinctive and original ideas, a clear call-to-action and a significant return-on-investment.” In the past year, Dollar-Help has added various local partnerships to its campaign to raise funds for those in our area needing heating assistance.
The “Check a Red Box” campaign was acknowledged for several successful campaign programs. Local grocery chain Dierbergs displayed signs and flyers about Dollar-Help in its stores and made its customers aware they may donate by checking the $1, $2, or $5 box on their Laclede Gas or Missouri Natural gas bill. Dollar-Help was featured as KMOX’s “Voice of Caring” partner in February. Public service announcements ran during the month and interviews helped Dollar-Help post one of its best fund raising months ever. The Missouri River Otters, a former minor league hockey team in St. Louis, also helped Dollar-Help by hosting a jersey auction. The Web site (www.dollarhelp.org) was recognized for its online donation forms, which make it easier to contribute to Dollar-Help.
Editor’s note: Sister Patricia Kelley founded Dollar-Help, Inc. in 1982 as the first private energy assistance fund in the St. Louis area. In 1987, Sr. Pat was also a founding member and driving force of the NFFN, a national grassroots network of fuel and energy assistance funds. She served as NFFN’s first national chairperson.
Following Sr. Pat’s death, her brother, Dennis Kelley, took over as president and continues in that role today. Under his leadership, the organization has grown steadily to its present fundraising level of close to $1 million per year, every year.