Embrace Warm Hearts This Winter

They have not lost their dignity.

They have not lost their will.

But they may be losing hope.

For a family in need, your tax-deductible donation to the non-profit Warm Hearts agency can make the difference between facing the future in cold fear or receiving much-needed warmth this winter.

Many times these same households must choose between having enough money to pay for their food and medicine, or for the cost of the fuel for heating their home! Without Warm Hearts to assist families like this, these families are faced with the very real possibility of having no home heating during a time when it is needed most.

Linda Lassen
Warm Hearts Board Member

How to Request Assistance

How Many Households Benefit From Donations To Warm Hearts?

In recent years, Warm Hearts has assisted an average of 1,334 individuals living in 526 different households in Douglas County. These households received approximately $87,500 in financial assistance…an average of more than $202.62 per household. Included have been senior citizens, single parent families and families with children.

Who Distributes Warm Hearts Funds?

Five non-profit social service agencies within Douglas County annually receive and process applications for assistance. These agencies are the Ballard Center, Douglas County Senior Services, ECKAN, Penn House, and the Salvation Army.

Seven Requirements for Application

All applicants requesting assistance must satisfy seven (7) requirements:

Reside within Douglas County
Meet gross income guidelines based on current Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Provide proof of having paid on their primary fuel bill during the period of time for which assistance is being requested.
Provide verifiable income information for the three months immediately preceding the date of application.
Provide full and complete information required to determine eligibility during the application process.
Provide a copy of any shutoff notice currently pending, if a gas company is the primary source of fuel.
Apply in person, except in verifiable medical emergencies. In such circumstances, an agent may be designated by the applicant.

How Warm Hearts Works

Payments for assistance by Warm Hearts will only be made directly to the utility company.
Payments to a utility or vendor by Warm Hearts will not exceed $300.00 per household for the duration of the season, except that a maximum payment of $400.00 during the season will be made on approved applications for propane or wood.
We require full verification of all household income reported on each application.
We require positive identification of all applicants.
We encourage all applicants to apply for a LIEAP award. (Low Income Energy Assistance Program).

LIEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy cost and is a one time per year benefit. Learn more at:
www.srskansas.org/ISD/ees/lieap.htm

Please support the efforts of Warm Hearts of Douglas County to help those in need with their home heating bills this winter.

Send your tax-deductible donation to:

WARM HEARTS
PO BOX 1555
LAWRENCE KS 66044-8555

And remember, if you make your check payable to ‘Black Hills Cares,’ your tax-deductible donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Black Hills Energy!

Families near you fear they will be left in the cold this winter.
Won’t you please help?

Warm Hearts of Douglas County, providing winter energy assistance to households in need through the thoughtful donations of people like you.

Who Is Helped?

Who will you be helping with your tax-deductible donation to Warm Hearts?

They are young, they are elderly. They face a rough stretch of road, or a long road to recovery. They are your close friends, or your unknown neighbors.

They are struggling to make ends meet, and they need our help. Your help.

Who Is Warm Hearts?

Warm Hearts of Douglas County, Inc. is a non-profit agency established in 1982 to provide financial assistance to low-income households in the city of Lawrence and Douglas County who are struggling to pay their home heating fuel bills.

How Are These Funds Obtained?

To support this program, the directors of Warm Hearts conduct an annual fund drive following Thanksgiving. This campaign primarily is conducted through the media and by mail.

Are Campaign Expenses Paid Out Of Donations Received?

No, they are not. Warm Hearts of Douglas County is an all-volunteer effort with no costs for overhead – we have no paid staff or office. Our fund-raising campaign expenses are paid by a donor organization, so that every cent of every dollar raised goes to those qualified households in need of assistance with their winter fuel bills.

How Warm Hearts Helped My Family

This past winter my family was having a rough time financially due to my husband being injured at work. Someone told me they thought Warm Hearts might be able to help.

I am very thankful for the Warm Hearts program and really appreciate the assistance that they were able for provide for our family.

I have four children and one really depends on heat in our home due to his various illnesses. My husband and my family and I greatly appreciated this help! Thank You, Warm Hearts!

The Frazier Family

Donation Matching

Since the winter of 2004–2005, our local natural gas service supplier, Black Hills Energy, has partnered with Warm Hearts by offering to match dollar-for-dollar all contributions donated to Warm Hearts. To qualify for matching funds, the donor must make their personal check payable to ‘Black Hills Cares’ and mail the donation to Warm Hearts, Box 1555, Lawrence, KS 66044-8555.