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Testimonials

Dollar Energy Fund has helped people from all walks of life for more than 30 years. For many who receive a grant from our organization, it is their first time seeking assistance. We are proud to serve these individuals and families during their time of need and help lessen their burdens.

With tears in my eyes, I cannot express how grateful I am for the help you have provided to me. I had no idea how I could keep my utilities on in this - my most challenging financial season. I am so thankful for you. Your reps are thoughtful, warm, courteous and kind, while being professional; your process is easy and not dehumanizing; and your payment is unbelievably quick. Thank you, thank you, thank you." – Anonymous

June 1, 2021

The services offered by the Program are life saving for many families. It is a pleasure to be associated with great CSR’s who work tirelessly to serve others." – Sandra, PA

October 1, 2019

We want to thank Dollar Energy Fund for providing us with a grant of $125 as a credit on our utility bill. This makes a huge difference to our situation. We thank you very much for your financial help." – Karen, Prospect, PA

June 5, 2014

Thank you so very, very much for giving me a grant to pay my bill.  You have truly blessed my life. May God ever bless each of you who had a part in allowing me to be a grant recipient." – Gloria, Bluefield, WV

June 5, 2014

Thank you for giving us a grant. We are so grateful to have your help. Making it through tough times is made a little easier with help from people like you. We appreciate what you were able to do for us! More words cannot express how much better we feel!" – Ed, Pittsburgh, PA

June 5, 2014

I look forward to the day when I will no longer need this support and can give back to Dollar Energy with my contribution." – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

Dollar Energy is a real Godsend. I really appreciate everything that has been done to help me. With the high cost of heating oil this winter, I was worried about being able to pay my utility bills. Now I have some peace of mind. Thank you!" – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

My life was turned upside down when my husband suddenly died and I became a widow. After weeks of crying and trying to figure out what to do first, I was two months behind on both my electric and my gas bill. I was 54 years old, had no job, limited skills and a very bleak future. Dollar Energy Fund was there for me when I needed help the most. It’s nice to know that there are people out there who really care." – Geraldine, Pittsburgh, PA

June 5, 2014

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You!  I am deeply touched and thankful for your assistance.  My wife and son thank you, too!  Since losing my job nine weeks ago, I have been working hard to find work, interview and support my family.  Dollar Energy Fund helped my family! Thanks so much." – Don, Altoona, PA

June 5, 2014

To everyone at Dollar Energy Fund, I would like to thank each and every one of you for literally saving my life. With your help, I was able to stay in my home! Thank you again." – Deb, Lynchburg, VA

June 5, 2014

I would like to thank you for the help I received through Dollar Energy Fund. I don’t know what I would have done without your help. I really appreciate it." – Mary, Bridgeville, PA

June 5, 2014

I just wanted to thank you for the program of Dollar Energy! I work for Heart and Hand Putnam and we work with Dollar Energy to process the Grant applications. It was in early January when a young lady came in my office seeking assistance; her electricity had been turned off for approximately 2 weeks. I informed her of the Dollar Energy Program and how we could apply for a grant and if approved, it would we able to assist her in getting her electricity turned back on. We filled out the grant application with Dollar Energy. The client had been out of electric for several weeks, it was in the middle of winter, and as we filled out the application, she wept quietly. As I left work that day, I thought of her, how difficult it must be not to have power, no heat, no hot water…the things we take for granted every day. I prayed for her as I headed home, hoping she would qualify for the Grant. When I came back to work, I checked to see if her grant had been approved and it was! I immediately called her to give her the good news and we both cried, as she informed me that her electricity had already been turned on! I encouraged her to keep moving forward, she thanked me and I want to thank you, “Dollar Energy.” I’m so grateful for second chances and programs that still give people hope!” – Rebekah Jarrell, Program Manager, Heart and Hand- Putnam County

June 5, 2014

My name is Barbara Painter; I am an intake person for the Southern Appalachian Labor School. I worked with an Outreach Personnel for one of our housing projects. She contacted me to assist Mr. Raines for assistance on his energy bill. He had been homeless and in a shelter. She helped him find an apartment along with his brother. Both of their incomes could afford the rent and utilities. His brother moved out and he was faced with the entire financial burden of an apartment. With the large electric bill, he was again faced with homelessness. The Dollar Energy Fund assisted him with the electric bill and kept him off the streets and out of a shelter. We thank you for the assistance that you gave this gentleman.” – Barbara Painter, AmeriCorp Program, Southern Appalachian Labor School

June 5, 2014

I can’t tell you how thankful I am for the help my family received. I’m thankful for all of you. I hope one day I can return the favor and help someone like you have helped us. Thank you so much.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

In July 2013 I lost my job, along with 86 others, and went from living on an exceptional monthly income to almost nothing. Since this point I have very slowly gotten my life back together but I am still working on all the bills from that point in my life. While living with my parents I found the perfect apartment because of cost and location but had an outstanding bill from that time. Without the Dollar Energy Fund I would still be with my parents and would not be able to find an apartment as perfect as this. I’m currently going to college, working a decent job, working on those bills and very, very thankful for the goodness of community action. They’ve not only assisted greatly in getting me back on my feet, but the woman at the Galion Location was amazing, kind, and understanding.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

I wanted to express my gratitude for the Dollar Energy Fund.  I never thought I would be in a situation that I could not pay my gas bill, but the Dollar Energy Fund was there to help me get through a very difficult time in my life.  The kindness and generosity will remain with me forever.  I will definitely pay it forward!!” – Mary, Springdale, PA

June 5, 2014

I would like to thank the Dollar Energy Fund for their assistance. It was deeply appreciated and really helped me out. Thanks so much.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

I just wanted to thank Dollar Energy Fund for helping me out with my utility bill on my gas bill. It was a big help and I would have been without heat. Thank you again.” – Charles Taylor, Virginia

June 5, 2014

My name is Elva and I received a grant in March 2016 which was very timely. My husband passed away in November 2015 and I was having financial hardship. Thank you so much for your help.” – Elva, PA

June 5, 2014

I am so grateful for the help I received from Dollar Energy this year. I am a single parent with two children; this enabled me to make ends meet for us these last few months. Thank you so much, God Bless.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

I feel very lucky to have gotten assistance. I really needed the help and when I asked they came through. I very much appreciated it. Thank you for everything you do.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

I really appreciated the help I received through Dollar Energy Fund. I was in a really bad spot in life and came home to a utility shut off and pay day was still 11 days away. Dollar Energy Fund stepped in and helped right in the nick of time. It was fast and substantial, thank you again.” – Ms. Freeman

June 5, 2014

The Dollar Energy Fund is a savior to our family! Every bit helps to make things less stressful and it is all thanks to the generosity and thoughtfulness of others in our communities! Thank you!” – Christina, Pittsburgh, PA

June 5, 2014

Since 2009, I have survived three separate bouts of cancer, which resulted in the depletion of all my retirement funds, forced me to sell my house (at a loss), and still left me owing medical bills. The AEP Heating Dollar Energy Fund has been a great blessing to me, enabling me to more comfortably live in my all electric, rent-subsidized apartment. Thank you and God bless you.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

I am happy to say that Dollar Energy's Grant was very much needed and appreciated. The whole process working with you all was nothing but admirable for your concern with helping me. I thank you all for that. Great organization!” – Pete, PA

June 5, 2014

The Dollar Energy Fund was a great help to my household because without their help I would have been without utility, sitting in a cold house maybe even dead from no utility service; without gas and lights in the winter equals coldness. So I want to thank God for letting someone create such a great program that I hope can help a lot of other families just like it helped me....Thank you Dollar Energy Fund.”  – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

Peoples Natural Gas and Duquesne Light were a wonderful gift to me with the Dollar Energy Fund. The program is so helpful to seniors. I was very thankful for the help I received and for Jennifer’s help in doing the applications for me.” – Dorothy Rieger, PA

June 5, 2014

Thank you very much for awarding me the grant from the Dollar Energy Fund. The extra money means so much to me. It has given me great peace of mind; I now have more funds to pay medical bills. I am extremely appreciative to the donors for what they have done for me, and other senior citizens who also live on a limited income. Thank you again.” – Janet S., PA

June 5, 2014

Dollar Energy helped me immensely. I was going to have my gas shut off; I’m on a very low income and was struggling and didn’t know what else to do. They actually reached out to me and paid a portion of my bill to stop my gas from being terminated. Programs like these really help people in need.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

We work and we pay our bills never thinking that we are only two pay checks away from being in over our heads.  That is my story after losing my job.  It was humiliating enough explaining to the children that I no longer had a job, but to have the children come home from school one day to find the utilities cut off would have been traumatic.  Having one’s utilities suspended is more than a matter of dark and cold. Healthy children need to feel safe and secure consistently.  Poverty on the other hand is a critical risk factor for many mental, emotional and behaviors disorders in children.  Thanks to Dollar Energy, my utilities were not cut off and I was able to manage a seemingly normal household for my family during a time of financial distress.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

I would like to thank Dollar Energy for truly helping me out with my light bill this year. I have an all-electric house and in the winter, my bill gets really high. I visited the Dollar Energy location in McKeesport and the lady that helped me with the application couldn’t have been any nicer. I was not feeling well as I have Lyme disease, but she was courteous and friendly and I felt better just visiting with her and filling out the application. I don’t know what I would have done had Dollar Energy not helped me." – Karla Wood

June 5, 2014

I just want to thank you for your needed help during my emergency energy crisis. You were a blessing. Thank you and all that assist you.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

The grant you awarded me was a big blessing. I am thankful for your help.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

After my husband passed, getting on my feet has been tough. With great thanks to the Dollar Energy Fund I was able to get a grant to get caught up. I don’t know what we would have done without it.” – Carol, PA

June 5, 2014

During the time I was in need of extra assistance with my bills. Dollar Energy helped me pay some of my electric bill. The application process and acceptance was very quick. I am very grateful for their help.” – Jasmine, PA

June 5, 2014

I want to thank you and the Dollar Energy Fund for assisting me in this rough time I am having. No one is really prepared for when they lose their income, no matter the circumstances. I have stressed over bills, prayed over bills and I have received the help needed for me to be able to keep going. So thank you all.” – Anonymous

June 5, 2014

If you benefited from a Dollar Energy Fund assistance grant, we’d love to hear your story! Please email us at pr@dollarenergy.org.

 

Cathryn's Story

Listen to Cathryn, a Dollar Energy Fund grant recipient, share her story during our 2014 Warmathon on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.

 

36,197 Grants Provided During Our 2021-2022 Program Year