Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
NOVEC offers easy way to help low-income people stay warm this winter
Virginians may apply for energy assistance through Nov. 14
MANASSAS, Va. — Winter is coming. So is the need for home heating. To provide warmth in winter, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative urges area residents to contribute to Operation Round-Up® (ORU) or enroll in the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Fuel Assistance program by Nov. 14.
“In recent winters, we’ve had polar vortices swooping down from the North Pole and major snowstorms,” notes Mike Curtis, NOVEC vice president, Public Relations. “Last January’s Snowstorm Jonah coated Northern Virginia with almost 3 feet of snow. Home heating systems worked overtime to keep homes warm. We want to help everyone be ready for what could be another cold and snowy winter.”
Donating to Operation Round Up is easy
ORU helps qualified recipients pay for their home heating with money donated by NOVEC customers and area residents. Customers donate by allowing NOVEC to round up their monthly utility bills to the next dollar. The extra cents go into the ORU fund. Each participant donates approximately $6 a year. NOVEC customers may sign up with ORU at www.novec.com/oru, or they may call Customer Service Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500.
A non-customer or customer may donate by sending a check in any amount, payable to NOVEC Operation Round Up, to: NOVEC ORU, P.O. Box 2710, Manassas, VA 20108.
NOVEC absorbs all administration costs. Therefore, 100 percent of all donations go into the fund.
How ORU Helps People Stay Warm
After receiving donations, the ORU board, composed of volunteer NOVEC customer-owners, sends donations to:
- The Salvation Army in Loudoun, Fairfax, and Fauquier County
- Action in Community Through Service (ACTS), Prince William County
- SERVE, a program of Northern Virginia Family Service, Prince William County
- SERVE, Inc., Stafford County
These organizations distribute funds to low-income people who qualify for assistance.
Virginia Department of Social Services’ Energy Assistance Program
The Virginia Department of Social Services will accept applications for Fuel Assistance in its Energy Assistance program through Monday, Nov. 14. (The second Friday in November deadline has been extended since Nov. 11 is a holiday.) The program helps low-income people pay for home heating, whether from electricity, natural gas, liquid propane, oil, kerosene, coal, or wood.
For more information and an application, call 211, (804) 726-7000 (main agency), or visit www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.cgi.
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