The Gift of Warmth program was established by local business leaders to help the United Way augment its Emergency Heating Fund. You may have seen the recent news that the region's unemployment rate has ballooned to 9.2% and, according to the latest census figures, an astounding 1 in 7 families are now in poverty in our area. Compounding this problem is the fact that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has drastically slashed the State Heating Assistance program, leaving thousands in our region ineligible for a heating grant. The good news is, it's easy to help!

What is the Gift of Warmth program?
Each year during the holiday season, area companies and organizations send numerous tokens of appreciation to their clients and vendors. The Gift of Warmth program encourages these socially conscious business leaders to use all or even a portion of their gift-giving budget to send the Gift of Warmth instead. 

How does the program work?
For a minimum corporate donation of $500 to the United Way's Emergency Heating Fund, you will receive 100 Gift of Warmth cards to insert in your corporate holiday cards to clients, vendors and customers. Additional cards are available for an additional donation. If you would like, you can also provide the United Way with a list of names and addresses of the clients who are receiving the cards and they will be sent a gift acknowledgment postcard. {A non-profit/personal version is also available. Please contact the United Way for more information.}

In addition to purchasing corporate and/or personal cards for your holiday gift giving, we are pleased to announce a new partnership with Airline Petroleum and the Mall at Steamtown. Your corporate support of $1,000 or more toward the Gift of Warmth program will be acknowledged at the mall as part of a special promotion throughout the busy holiday shopping season!

How is the United Way's Emergency Heating Fund used?
The United Way fund is closely monitored by trained social workers and volunteers and is utilized for extreme emergencies. Last year, more than $100,000 was raised through the Gift of Warmth and every penny was used to provide emergency fuel/utility assistance or emergency furnace repair. Last year, an elderly couple with only limited Social Security income ran out of heating oil during one of the coldest stretches of winter weather. The funds raised through the Gift of Warmth program made the difference between being safe and warm in their home or having to choose between essentials such as food and medicine. Similarly, a hard-working single parent family with four children was nearly left homeless last December when their furnace broke and began leaking kerosene onto the floor. The parent's wages were not enough to cover repair costs, and space heaters were their only source of heat. Again, this family received the Gift of Warmth and celebrated the holiday knowing they would remain together in their own home and safe from harm. The Gift of Warmth steps in when crises like these--and many more--arise and people have no where else to turn.

For more information or to order your cards, please contact the United Way at 343-1267, ext. 221 or email us.