Caring Members® program helps ECE members in need pay electric bills

BRAHAM, Minn. - East Central Energy (ECE) announced that it will continue to match member contributions to the ECE Caring Members® program. This program is dedicated to helping ECE members in need and unable to pay for their electric bills.

Developed by ECE in 1993, Caring Members gives ECE members and others the opportunity to help the elderly, disabled and families in need pay utility bills during cold weather months. Tax-deductible contributions are distributed by local, non-profit assistance organizations, which screen applications to ensure that dollars go to needy individuals or families.

"This wonderful program is often a last resort for people to get help paying for utility bills," said Richard Fuchs, energy/housing department director of The Lakes and Pines Community Action Council, Mora, Minn. "Among those helped last winter was a young man whose wife was suffering from cancer, and they couldn't keep up with their electricity bills. This is just one of many examples of families helped through this program."

"Through Caring Members, ECE and its members have helped our neighbors in need for more than 12 years," reports Garry Bye, ECE's president and CEO. "Still, there's more to do because winter months can be a serious hardship for some ECE members."

ECE matches the Caring Member dollars contributed by members. Combined with potential matches from government agencies, this helps multiply the contribution value available for ECE members in need.

To help support the program with a tax-deductible contribution, make the check payable to Caring Members and send it to ECE at P.O. Box 39, Braham, MN 55006. ECE members may also add a contribution to their monthly bill. Contact an ECE customer consultant at 800-254-7944 for help.

Bye also suggests the ECE Energy Gift Certificate as another idea for those who want to give the gift of energy to someone in need or to family and friends. A gift certificate can be purchased for any amount over $10 by calling an ECE customer consultant at 800-254-7944. It will be applied to the bill of the ECE member receiving the gift certificate.

East Central Energy www.eastcentralenergy.com is a member-owned electric cooperative serving more than 55,000 homes, farms and businesses in east central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. ECE also provides Internet and long distance services.