Would You Become a Part of This Effort by Making a Gift for the Upcoming New Jersey SHARES'

Years ago a school teacher from Union called a county welfare agency seeking help to pay a utility bill. Unfortunately, it was well past the deadline for government help (LIHEAP) and besides, she would have been "over-income". Another time comes to my memory but with a more specific time and place. It was during a meeting held in December, 1992 that a statement was made "wishing there was a place to send people when all other programs are closed." It took several years of hard work by a group of dedicated people to make the wish come true - the creation of New Jersey SHARES.

NJ SHARES was incorporated twenty years ago, in 1998, but remains largely unknown to the general public. So we (I'm on the Board of Directors) decided to have an 'Ice House Challenge'. The idea is to raise needed funds, to publicize the work NJ SHARES does and to celebrate our 20th anniversary.

We formed this unique statewide energy fund so people would not fall through the cracks. We live in a state with incomes higher than the national average yet find that too many can't make ends meet. A 2014 report prepared for a New Jersey food bank stated that "an estimated 68 percent of households reported they had to choose between paying for food and utilities in the past 12 months." I believe we can do better.

Would you become a part of this effort by making a gift for the upcoming New Jersey SHARES' Cool Down for Warmth event?

Here are a few facts if you are not aware of the work of New Jersey SHARES:

*More than 4 out of 5 of our grant recipients have income from employment

*Since 1998 185,000 households have received utility assistance totaling $75 million

*20% of the households served last year support a member over 60 years old

*Our recipients do not qualify for State or Federal energy assistance

To mark our 20 year milestone heating season NJ SHARES will be hosting this unique fundraising opportunity, Cool Down for Warmth, on February 1 & 2. I hope to raise at least $1,000. Will you help by making a contribution?

Donations can be made via my Ice House Challenge page at https://www.crowdrise.com/michael-swayzes-ice-house-challenge.

Please give what you can. Participating utility companies have agreed to make a matching contribution, doubling your contribution.

For more information visit www.njshares.org/cooldownforwarmth/. Help me spread the word and make my wish a continued reality.

Sincerely yours,

Michael R. Swayze