MAYOR'S OFFICE, UNITED WAY KICK-OFF WINTER ASSISTANCE FUND WITH $355,000 FROM FIVE LOCAL FUNDERS

United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) and Indianapolis Mayor Greg
Ballard's office team up to announce the start of the 2010 Winter
Assistance Fund and accept $355,000 in start-up contributions.

Funders include Citizens Energy Group, Indianapolis Power & Light, Nina
Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF
affiliate, The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, and the James
Proctor Fund for Aged Men and Women, a CICF Fund.

Mayor Ballard and UWCI President and CEO Ellen K. Annala will
explain the program, urge people in the community to give, answer
questions and accept contributions.

Also available to answer questions will be representatives from local
funders, Indianapolis Urban League, a United Way agency that helps
administer the program; Connect2Help, a United Way agency that offers
confidential telephone assistance for people who need help; and, service
center case workers who guide individuals through the application
process.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 7.

WHERE: Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, 2nd floor, 1920 West Morris
Street.

WHY: The Winter Assistance Fund (WAF) helps ensure those who need
energy assistance the most have warm homes during the coldest months of
the year.

Last year, the fund helped 2,082 households, including seniors and
families with children, by raising $717,040 in assistance.

Calls to Connect2Help for utility assistance have skyrocketed 387
percent in the last five years.

The data was reported by Connect2Help, a United Way agency which
operates the 2-1-1 telephone information and referral service.