Warmth Connection - The Heat and Warmth Fund

2013 Fall Newsletter
The
Warmth Connection
THAW Aims To Help
Customers Before Crisis
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Linda Blair
ITC Holdings Corp.
VICE PRESIDENT
Mark Stiers
DTE Energy
TREASURER
Terry Oprea
Mort Crim
Communications, Inc.
SECRETARY
Bertram Marks
Litigation Associates
Trial Law Firm
MEMBERS
Jo Arnold
ViSalus Sciences
Carl Bentley
Strategic Staffing Solutions
Experiencing the four seasons is one of the pleasures of living
in Michigan. As fall transitions into winter, my mind
is on the challenges many Michigan families face as
the temperatures begin to drop. The cost of heating
a home increases significantly this time of year and
for families struggling to stay afloat, utilities often
become unaffordable.
This heating season, in addition to providing emergency relief
to families in crisis, THAW will work with its utility partners to
reach those who are vulnerable before they have to suffer the
negative etffects that come with losing utilities.
We depend on support from individual donors like you to help
us warm homes, stabilize families, and reach more people in
need of help.
Thank you for your continued support. Together we can make
a difference.
Jerry Carlson
Microsoft
David Ellis
AABE
Carl English
American Electical Power
(retired)
Susan Foley
University of Michigan
Health System
Daniel Forsyth
SEMCO Energy
Michelle Lemerond
Comerica Bank
Mark Lichtman
Zenacomp Incorporated
Susan Sherer, CEO, THAW
Who We Help
70% of the households we assist have a child or senior in the home.
More than 20,000 children lived in a home that received THAW
assistance last year.
7,000 of those children were newborn to preschool age.
THAW’s assistance dollars are distributed outside of Wayne,
40% ofOakland,
and Macomb Counties.
THAW MISSION
THAW is a leading provider
of utility assistance for Michigan
residents in need. We
collaborate with our partners to
deliver services that support longterm energy solutions.
Did
you
know?
Since 1985, THAW
has distributed over
$125 million in utility
assistance to over
175,000 Michigan
households.
Ways to Support
Visit www.thawfund.org
to donate online
Call 1-800-866-8429 to
donate by phone
Mail your gift using the
enclosed envelope
Enroll in Cents for Energy
at www.thawfund.org
Scan code with your smartphone
to donate via mobile device
Kirk Mayes
Brightmoor Alliance
Tom O’Masta
Consumers Energy
(retired)
Patti Poppe
Consumers Energy
Follow us on:
@thawfund
thawfund.org
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THAW and DTE Energy partner each
November for The Week of Warmth,
a series of events that brings together
community partners to raise awareness
and funds for those struggling to meet
their energy needs.
HONORARY CHAIRMAN:
Gerry Anderson, Chairman,
President and CEO, DTE Energy
CO-CHAIRPERSONS:
Governor Rick Snyder,
State of Michigan
Mayor Dave Bing
City of Detroit
Linda Blair, Chief Business Officer & Executive Vice President,
ITC Holdings Corp
Maura Corrigan, Director,
Michigan Department of Human Services
Frank Fountain, Chairman,
Walter P. Chrysler Museum Foundation
Christopher Ilitch, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
THAW and DTE ENERGY PRESENT
NIGHT OF WARM HEARTS
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14th, 2013
THE FILLMORE DETROIT
2 215 W O O D W A R D A V E N U E D E T R O I T
6 PM -10 : 3 0 PM
$ 15 0 PER
PER SON
P URCHA S E T ICKET S ONLINE AT:
WWW.WEEKOF WA RMT H.ORG
FEATURING:
Speed Painter Circus & Street Performers Psychics
Silent Auction Comic Magicians Contortionists
Fire Spinning BMX Performers Street Vendors
Strolling Dinner From Andiamo Cocktails & More....
P ROC E E D S TO B E N E FI T
Daniel J. Loepp, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI
Richard Manoogian, Chairman,
Masco Corp
Bertram Marks, Chairman and Principal Attorney,
Litigation Associates, PLCC
James B. Nicholson, President and Chief Executive Officer,
PVS Chemicals, Inc.
Cynthia Pasky, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Strategic Staffing Solutions
Susan Sherer, Chief Executive Officer,
The Heat and Warmth Fund
Thomas F. Stallworth III, State Representative,
Michigan House of Representatives
Week of Warmth Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor:
Co-Sponsor:
F OR M OR E I N F OR M AT I ON CO N TAC T ROS E AT R SA RT I @T HAWF UN D. ORG
Week of Warmth Events
November 9th, 2013
Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Day - 125 participating homes in a select
neighborhood will receive energy consultations and/or weatherization.
November 9th, 2013
Hallelujah for Heat - Spirit-lifting gospel concert featuring four-time Grammy
winner, Karen Clark Sheard from 7pm - 10pm at Greater Emmanuel in Detroit.
November 14, 2013
Night of Warm Hearts - Fundraising Gala from 6pm-10:30pm at The Fillmore
Detroit. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased at www.weekofwarmth.org.
November 19th, 2013
Corporate Donors:
Exclusive Magazine Sponsor:
Customer Assistance Day - Distribution of up to $1 million in energy
assistance to Michigan residents in need at various faith-based locations.
For information on all the Week of Warmth
activities, please visit www.weekofwarmth.org
Customer Story
HOT TOPICS
One considerable component of THAW’s mission is to
advocate and work with our partners to deliver long-term,
affordable energy solutions. In support of this effort,
THAW participated in the following collaborations,
activities and events.
Microsoft Grand Opening
Microsoft celebrated its retail store
grand opening at the Somerset Collection in Troy by awarding grants to local
non-profits. THAW is proud to have
been chosen as a Microsoft Community
Partner and recipient of a $125,000
software grant.
Global Business Manager for General Motors Corporation at Microsoft, Andy Tucker; THAW CEO, Susan
Sherer; THAW Board Member, Tom O’Masta; and
Automotive Industry Director at Microsoft, Dave Graff
help us upgrade our technology
“ This sograntwe will
can better serve our customers.
”
- Henry Tokarz
Vice President, Finance & Operations, THAW
Join the Coalition to
Keep Michigan Warm
THAW encourages you to visit the
coalition website and become
a supporter. This is a great
opportunity to remain aware and
support the work of THAW and our
partners to help keep Michigan
residents safe and warm!
www.coalitiontokeepmichiganwarm.com
Did
you
know?
In addition to gas and
electricity, THAW also provides
assistance for fuels such as
wood and propane. We have
more than 82 screening sites
that span from Detroit to the
Upper Peninsula.
THAW and Consumers Energy joined forces to
inspire innovation
Ecotelligent Homes and ReSource Fund
received awards from Consumers Energy
and The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) as
a winner of a Fostering Energy Affordability
Award sponsored through the Pure
Michigan Social Entrepreneurship
Challenge. The challenge encouraged new
business ideas and emerging companies
that focused on sustainable social change
in a wide range of areas including energy,
environment and health.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, we
have a role in providing our customers with
the tools to use energy more efficiently and,
just as important, to manage their household expenses,” said Patricia K. Poppe, Vice
President for Customer Experience and
Operations for Consumers Energy. “Social
entrepreneurs like Ecotelligent Homes and
ReSource Fund are acting on good ideas to
make that happen and should have a clear
impact on Michigan residents’ lives.”
THAW CEO, Susan Sherer; Emerging
Company Award winner Ecotelligent
Homes Owner/Chief Energy Engineer,
Amanda Godward; and Manager,
Customer Experience and Operations
at Consumers Energy, Joe Eckert
THAW CEO, Susan Sherer; New
Enterprise Award winners ReSource
Fund founders, Sripriya Navalpakam
and Neeru Kannan along with
Manager, Customer Experience and
Operations at Consumers Energy,
Joe Eckert
NOV 2013:
Upcoming Events
Appreciation Luncheon
Right Around The Corner......
Week of Warmth November 9th - 19th
weekofwarmth.org
FEB 2014:
Coneys For a Cause Come down and enjoy a
Coney while helping those in need!
February 6th, 2014
11AM - 2PM
American Coney Island, 114 W. Lafayette Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
The Winter Survival Radiothon benefitting
THAW hosted by: WWJ Newsradio 950 AM
Call in a pledge of support & keep families safe
and warm. Stay tuned for more event information.
February 7th, 2014 5AM-7PM
Hardcore THAW with American Jewelry &
Loan Hang out with TruTV’s Gold Family and
support local communities!
February 8th, 2014 7PM - 11PM
American Jewelry & Loan, 20450 Greenfield Rd
Detroit, MI 48235
Heating Tips
The easiest way to lower your
energy costs is by using your energy
wisely. For every degree you lower
your thermostat, you can save about
three percent per heating bill.*
- Clean or replace your
furnace’s air filter
Program Manager - St. Vincent de Paul,
Cajie D’Cunha and THAW Director of
Customer Advocacy, Lisa Jones
THAW recently recognized our customer
assistance partners at our Annual
Appreciation Luncheon. Special acknowledgement was given to Act of Faith,
Perfecting Community Care Center, St.
Vincent de Paul, Consumers Energy,
SEMCO, and DTE Energy, respectively.
This event highlights the collaboration
between THAW and 82 agencies across
the state who help keep families warm
and safe.
been great partnering with the supportive
“ Itandhascompassionate
THAW staff to assist our
vulnerable neighbors with their energy bills. We
look forward to an ongoing collaboration.
”
- Cajie D’Cunha
Program Manager, St. Vincent de Paul
Thanks for Your Support
We would like to thank the hosts,
sponsors and participants for making the 2013 golf outings benefitting THAW,
such huge successes.
UWUA Local 223 Gas Division
and DTE Energy hosted
16th Annual
Birdie Fore Warmth
July 26th, 2013
Ann Arbor Country Club
Raised: $43,000
- Install programmable
thermostats
- Insulate attic, basement, and
crawlspace heating ducts
- Place an insultation blanket
around your hot water heater
Keep the cold air out,
and the warm air in.
SEMCO’s Energy Drive
Follow THAW on Twitter for
#EnergyTipTuesday
Raised: $40,000
*DTE Energy’s website: dteenergy.com
August 16th, 2013
Black River Country Club

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