Heating Energy Assistance Team (H.E.A.T) Celebrates 30 Years of Helping Families Stay Warm in Georgia
H.E.A.T. Issues Urgent Call for Donations As Early Winter Arrives
ATLANTA, Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Heating Energy Assistance Team (H.E.A.T) is celebrating its 30th anniversary of helping less fortunate Georgians by providing financial assistance for winter heating bills. H.E.A.T. has provided energy assistance to more than 92,000 Georgia families over the last 30 years. The organization celebrated its anniversary at its annual meeting on November 13, sponsored by SCANA Energy, Georgia Natural Gas, Oglethorpe Power, Blossman Propane and AGL Resources, among other companies.
"For 30 years, H.E.A.T. has made a big difference in the lives of many Georgians who need financial support to stay warm and to keep the heat on during winter," said Janet Joseph, executive director of H.E.A.T. "As winter fast approaches, we hope that individual Georgians and businesses can contribute to this great cause by visiting our website at www.heatga.org to make a much-needed donation."
H.E.A.T. was founded in 1983 to provide energy assistance to low-income Georgians by Atlanta Gas Light Company and Frances F. Pauley, an advocate for the poor and founder of the Georgia Poverty Rights Organization. Other key participants were First Georgia Bank (now Wells Fargo), the Georgia Department of Human Services and a citizens advisory committee. At the time of the program's formation, H.E.A.T.'s unique features included statewide availability of assistance, open to all citizens regardless of energy source used and matching federal grants. H.E.A.T. partners with the Georgia Department of Human Services to distribute funds to thousands of families in need through local community action agencies. Qualified families apply for assistance at the agency that serves their county. H.E.A.T. is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.
In addition to the private donations that H.E.A.T. receives from Georgians, the organization is generously supported by many energy and affiliated companies, including the following:
- AGL Resources
- SCANA Energy
- Georgia Natural Gas
- Gas South
- Infinite Energy
- Constellation
- FireSide Natural Gas
- Oglethorpe Power
- Blossman Propane, Appliance & Services
About H.E.A.T.
Established in 1983, H.E.A.T. began as a program of Atlanta Gas Light Company. With the deregulation of Georgia's natural gas industry, H.E.A.T. became a separate 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization in May 2000. The organization helps address the energy needs of low-income Georgians by joining forces with concerned citizens, businesses and state and local governments. For more information about H.E.A.T., or to donate online, go to www.heatga.org.
SOURCE Heating Energy Assistance Team (H.E.A.T)
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