Alana Cantillo, Director of Government Affairs, Spectrum (left) presented Bill Guarinello, President and CEO of HeartShare (center), and Melanie Littlejohn, Vice President of Community and Customer Management, NY at National Grid (right), with a $5,000 check for the Neighborhood Heating Fund at HeartShare’s headquarters, 12 MetroTech Center on Monday, March 19, 2018.

Spectrum, New York’s leading Internet, TV and phone provider, presented a $5,000 check to the Neighborhood Heating Fund, which HeartShare administers to eligible low income energy consumers during the winter season.

Bill Guarinello, President and CEO of HeartShare, and Melanie Littlejohn, Vice President of Community and Customer Management, NY at National Grid, accepted the check from Alana Cantillo, Director of Government Affairs, Spectrum at HeartShare’s headquarters, 12 MetroTech Center on Monday, March 19, 2018.

“We are so grateful to Spectrum for offering us the resources to reach more families this year. Many recipients of the Neighborhood Heating Fund, such as struggling parents, senior citizens or veterans, are facing a heart-wrenching ‘heat or eat’ dilemma,” stated Joseph Guarinello, Vice President of Energy Programs and Community Development at HeartShare. Christine was a Neighborhood Heating Fund recipient (VIDEO).

“National Grid and HeartShare assist thousands of families each heating season. This winter is shaping up to be one of the coldest in years and we expect the number of families in need to rise,” said Melanie Littlejohn, Vice President, National Grid, New York. “With Spectrum’s support the Neighborhood Heating Fund will be able to help more families and individuals in need in our local communities.”

Many recipients of this donation, which will be available to residents of Southwest Queens, fall within the 14th Senatorial District of Leroy Comrie, who is one of HeartShare’s partners and whose District Office serves as an intake site to community members. (left to right) Paul John, Deputy Chief of Staff to Senator Leroy Comrie, Laura Manno, Director of Government Affairs, Spectrum, Bill Guarinello, President and CEO of HeartShare Human Services, and Alana Cantillo, Director of Government Affairs, Spectrum at HeartShare’s headquarters, 12 MetroTech Center on Monday, March 19, 2018.

The donation is a part of the emergency heating relief grant, a new and important initiative of the Spectrum Housing Assist program. The goal of the Spectrum Housing Assist program is to improve 50,000 homes by 2020 through home rebuilds, safe and healthy home kit distributions, smoke alarm installations and emergency heating relief grants. HeartShare is one of 10 non-profits in other cold-weather cities to receive this grant from Spectrum.

Many recipients of this donation, which will be available to residents of Southwest Queens, fall within the 14th Senatorial District of Leroy Comrie, who is one of HeartShare’s partners and whose District Office serves as an intake site to community members. “My office has worked with the Neighborhood Heating Fund and HeartShare since its inception and recognize the significant difference it has provided for many people who are in hardship and need a helping hand during the winter months,” said Senator Leroy Comrie. “I thank Spectrum for their initial contribution to the fund and encourage them and all other service providers to work to ensure that more New Yorkers can benefit from HeartShare than ever before.”

“Winters can be quite difficult in New York City. Spectrum is proud to offer help through this emergency heating relief grant, as part of Spectrum Housing Assist, to benefit families who need heating assistance,” said Rodney Capel, Vice President of Government Affairs at Spectrum.

HeartShare’s Energy Assistance and Community Development Program administers small grants to thousands of households in the 61 of the 62 New York State counties through several utility partners, including National Grid. National Grid works with HeartShare to administer grants for its Neighborhood Heating Fund, which serves nearly 3,000 people in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.

Neighborhood Heating Fund applicants must exhaust all forms of HEAP before they are able to apply for the $200 grant, which was available starting February 1. Applicants must have an active National Grid heating account. This grant is only available to residents of Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island who live in a 1-2 family house or pay for heat in their apartment. This grant can be received once per heating season. In partnership with National Grid, HeartShare also recently launched an oil to gas conversion program last year, providing a rebate for income eligible customers to help save energy and money.

HeartShare is a Victorine Q. Adams Excellence Award winner, a national recognition for institutional innovation and achievement in serving low-income consumers. HeartShare educated the public and elected officials at the LIHEAP Action Days in Washington D.C. this month.

To learn more about HeartShare’s Energy Assistance and Community Development Programs, including the list of energy assistance intake sites for the Neighborhood Heating Fund, visit www.heartshare.org, or call 718-422-4207.