Community Involvement
PROJECT SHARE
Project Share is designed to help utility customers, 62 years of age or older, or customers who are certified as disabled or handicapped pay utility bills during the winter months. Participants must be on a low or fixed income which does not exceed the state household income eligibility guidelines as specified by the Alabama Department of Human Resources. The program allows the community to make contributions by adding $1.00 or more each month, year round, when they pay their utility bill. Customers are provided the amount of their previous year’s contributions for tax purposes on their January and February bills. The Salvation Army screens potential recipients, determines eligibility and decides who will receive assistance.
During the winter months of January, February and March 2012, Project Share funds assisted 839 families in the payment of their utility bills. During the 2012 heating season, a total of $156,389.45 was awarded in helping these families with the gas and electric portions of their bills, an average of $186.40 per family.
Since the beginning of the program in December 1988, 21,607 families have benefited from contributions totaling $3,364,003.57. One hundred percent (100%) of funds contributed to Project Share are used to assist the elderly and certified disabled with their utility bills.
Cooling assistance during the summer months is offered when funds are available.
Be the one who cares by adding $1.00 or more to your utility payment each month.
Project Share Contribution Options
THIRD PARTY NOTIFICATION
Don’t be left in the dark! At the request of the account holder, a concerned friend or relative, a designated third party will be notified of possible disconnection of electric service. This additional notification would allow a third party to be notified of any problems prior to disconnecting the utility service. If you are interested in this program please call 256-535-1200.
BUDDY CALL
Buddy Call is a public safety program for preschool through second grade children. Presentations are made that teach children how to prevent and deal with emergency situations. Youngsters are taught that they can turn to public servants, such as police, fire, and utility workers, for help. Utility employees have access to emergency communications equipment and, in most cases, are trained in CPR, first aid, and emergency management. These employees are available to the public during times of emergencies and identify their vehicles to the children with a Buddy Call emblem. Children are taught how to prevent accidents and what to do in case of heavy lightning, bicycle accidents, or other emergencies. Huntsville Utilities is proud to be a part of this program to make the communities we serve safer for the people who live here, especially the children.
GATEKEEPER
The Gatekeeper Program is designed to assist senior citizens who need help but may be unable to get it for themselves. If these citizens become ill or unable to function independently, they could easily go unnoticed or unattended. Huntsville Utilities employees who have regular contact with them (meter readers, field representatives and various customer service office personnel), look and listen for certain danger signals such as a change in appearance or behavior, signs of confusion or disability, unattended lawns, and report back to an office representative. This representative contacts the Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center, which will investigate and involve the proper assistance agencies.
EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEER COUNCIL
With all of our employees living in local communities throughout our area, the employees feel a strong commitment to their community. Through this commitment, a Volunteer Council was developed to look at ways to support charitable organizations in this area. This Volunteer Council raises funds through employee donations and uses No utility funds. Some of the local organizations that benefit from the Volunteer Council include: United Way, Cerebral Palsy, Christmas Charities, March of Dimes, Harris Home, American Cancer Society, and Family Services Center.
SIGN UP TO ROUND UP
Let your utility bill be rounded up to the next highest dollar, with that extra amount going to help your schools. Your pocket change has never been so powerful! The Schools Foundation uses your pocket change to support public education in Huntsville, Madison County, and the City of Madison.
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