Air Conditioners, Cash Donated to Keep Missourians Cool

Some seniors, physically disabled and low-income families are safer from heat this summer. Ameren Missouri recently donated 500 window air conditioners and $200,000 in supplemental utility funds to Cool Down St. Louis and other organizations in Missouri. 

This is the 13th year Ameren Missouri has sponsored the giveaway. The ENERGY STAR®-certified air conditioning units, valued at about $100,000, meet the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. They cost approximately 75 cents per day to operate. 

Eligible recipients are selected by Cool Down St. Louis and its partner agencies, which use age, certain medical circumstances and income to determine qualification for air-conditioners. Ameren Missouri volunteers, the St. Louis Fire Department, social service agencies, Cool Down St. Louis officials, and area TV meteorologists helped prepare the donated units for distribution, to an already large waiting list of qualified seniors and physically disabled clients. 

In Jefferson City, 50 air conditioners donated by Ameren Missouri were delivered to the Samaritan Center which will distribute the units to senior and low-income residents in need. “It’s just one way to give back to the community,” said Ameren Division Director Chip Webb, who oversees the Jefferson City area for Ameren Missouri. 

East Missouri Action Agency (EMAA) also received 50 window air conditioners in the statewide donation made possible because of Ameren Missouri’s Giveaway Program. According to Cathy Poole, services director of EMAA, 25 air conditioners will go to the Cape Girardeau office and 25 to the Park Hills office. 

If a senior or person with physical disabilities needs assistance, please visit the Cooldownstlouis.org website or call the organization’s automated senior hotline at 1.314.241.7668. Funds are available on a first-come basis to those who qualify. The public can also make secured donations online, or send donations to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188. One-hundred percent of all public donations go toward servicing the qualified needy Missouri and Illinois neighbors.

Along with promoting heat safety and the importance of running an air conditioner during the hot summer months, Ameren Missouri invites customers to learn about its energy efficiency programs, which offer rebates to replace inefficient air conditioner units and a variety of other programs that help customers save energy and money. More information is available at AmerenMissouri.com/rebates.