CITY REMINDS RESIDENTS TO ROUND UP UTILITY BILLS TO HELP THE HOMELESS
Customers can use June CWLP bill inserts to sign up

for more information:
Ernie Slottag 789-2235

Residents of Springfield are being reminded to participate in the City’s Round Up Program through an insert in this month’s CWLP bill.

“The Round Up Program was established several years ago to allow Springfield residents an easy way to help Springfield’s homeless by having their monthly CWLP bill rounded up to the next dollar,” said Mayor J. Michael Houston. “The additional amount goes to programs that assist the homeless. As an alternative to rounding up, CWLP customers can add a specified amount, such as $1 or $5, to each monthly bill under the program.”

Funds raised through this program are placed in a special account. A seven-member committee advises the Director of the Office of Community Relations regarding how these funds should be distributed in order to help continue providing a service to the homeless. The Director of Community Relations, then, makes a recommendation to the City Council, which has the final say as to how the funds should be distributed. Programs selected to receive funds must have demonstrated the ability to effectively provide services to the homeless.

The insert in June CWLP bills provides a sign up form that can be mailed back with your bill payment or separately. Residents donate online by going to the CWLP website at http://www.cwlp.com/customer_service/your_account/Homeless_RoundUp.htm.

“In its short life the Round Up Program has already helped provide shelter to the homeless during our bitter cold Springfield winters. This happened because of the many generous CWLP customers who already round up every month.  Please join them so we can do a lot more! Rounding up is a painless way to help those least fortunate among us," said Alderman Sam Cahnman, who sponsored the ordinance establishing the Round Up program.