[Archived] City of Alexandria’s Charitable Fuel Fund Begins Winter Heat Assistance Fundraising Campaign

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	October 31, 2006 PIO# 228-06/rdo	Brian Hannigan, Director of Communications, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA’S CHARITABLE FUEL FUND
BEGINS WINTER HEAT ASSISTANCE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

The City of Alexandria’s Department of Human Services encourages Alexandria residents and businesses to contribute to the City’s Charitable Fuel Fund. Established by the Alexandria City Council in 2005, the fund helps low-income Alexandria residents meet high home heating costs. Donations are tax deductible and will be used to assist Alexandria families in filling the gap between their own resources and fuel bills not covered by federal, state and other private benefit programs.

Home heating costs increased by 30 to 50 percent or more last winter as a result of Hurricane Katrina and other market disruptions, leaving many low-income families without adequate resources to pay their bills. While heating fuel costs are expected to be slightly lower this winter, colder weather is likely to result in total fuel bills at the same level as last winter, according to Department of Energy estimates.

Checks and money orders should be made out to “The DHS Charitable Fuel Fund” and mailed to: Department of Human Services, 2525 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301.

For more information on the Charitable Fuel Fund, call the Department of Human Services at 703-838-0971.

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