Community Warmth keeps the power on for 66 Hatters this year

The City of Medicine Hat’s Community Warmth Program has helped 66 people at risk of having their power cut off in 2017 help pay their utility bills.

The program, conceived in 2010, allows Hatters to donate money from their utility bill to those less fortunate — a minimum of $1 each month — via the Salvation Army.

Denise Schmaltz, the city’s superintendent of customer service and collections, said the initiative has raised $113,000 in support of 254 families since 2010, not including this year’s statistics.

“Anyone can sign up at any time,” said Schmaltz. “It starts their next billing period and that money gets remitted to the Salvation Army each month.”

The Salvation Army determines who is eligible for Community Warmth assistance.

In order to use the program, people must have a disconnection warning or have had their power disconnected already.

They can only use it once a year, Schmaltz said.

“If someone has been disconnected or had a disconnection warning, it’s usually three months worth of bills before they get disconnected,” she said.

They receive however much money they need to get their power back or avoid getting disconnected.

Prior to 2010, the city often received inquiries from residents, especially in November or December, about how they can help less fortunate Hatters, said Schmaltz.

Community Warmth was the city’s response.

Any donation more than $10 is eligible for a tax receipt at the end of the year, she added.

Murray Jaster, a major at the Hat’s Salvation Army, said this project fits well with the group’s charitable agenda.

“We partner with the city because we think it’s important that people stay warm, and that they have this opportunity when things get tough on some people,” he said.