DETROIT – Winter is coming -- and with it the cold weather. Unfortunately, many in the metro Detroit community struggle to keep their homes heated.
According to The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), more than 28,000 children and 4,800 seniors live in homes that received energy assistance last year.
To help, Local 4 is teaming up with THAW and DTE Energy to give the Gift of Warmth on Monday.
The Local 4 phone bank will open to take donations from 5 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
The money raised will go to thousands of low-income families and individuals who cannot pay their heating bills.
THAW helps the elderly, unemployed, underemployed and disabled individuals who found themselves in an energy crisis. According to THAW, more than 70 percent of the homes they help have a child or senior living there. THAW says these groups are very vulnerable to the cold.
In 2014, THAW gave more than $16 million in utility assistance to over 23,000 Michigan households. More families can be helped this winter if people help give the gift of warmth.
The telethon will benefit THAW and is being sponsored by DTE energy. Volunteers will be taking calls and accepting donations for those who want to help THAW.
- The number to call the Local 4 phone bank is (313) 298-WDIV (9348).
- To make a donation online, click here.
THAW began in 1985 to help low-income families who fell through the cracks of other social service programs.