Brent
06-27-2005, 09:20 AM
CARY’S OASIS IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE; MORE SUPPORT NEEDED
CARY, NC – The Town of Cary’s utility bill payment assistance program, Oasis, has been able to help 19 customers who can’t pay their bills since the program begin last fall; however, assistance requests will outpace funds unless additional, regular donations are received. Administered through a partnership with the local non-profit Christian Community in Action, Cary’s Oasis solicits tax-deductible donations from customers and places them in a fund used by CCA to help customers with their overdue Town of Cary water/sewer/solid waste bills and/or plumbing bills for leak repair.
Oasis has raised $8,565.63 in donations since beginning in October 2004, including an $8,000 one-time donation from a group of local developers. In addition, 17 Town of Cary utility customers make recurring donations generating a total of about $43.50 per month. But the program usually needs to pay out about $100 to each customer for a total of $1,890.84 thus far. At this rate, funds will be exhausted in about three years.
“With the average monthly need outpacing monthly donations, it will be very important that additional citizens commit to making regular donations before the generous $8000 lump donation runs out,” said Town of Cary Finance Director Karen Mills. “Another 50 regular donors would help ensure that we can keep our level of service the same.”
Oasis has helped in many different types of circumstances. In one case, Oasis rescued an elderly couple on a fixed income. When the husband was hospitalized, they had to choose between his healthcare and their utility services. In another case, Oasis assisted a father who lost his job and had sole custody of his three children. And in another, a stay-at-home mom suddenly became responsible for all the bills when her husband left her and their son.
“Many of our friends and neighbors are just one step away from needing help,” said Mills.
About 3,600 utility accounts with the Town of Cary are overdue each month. While most of these do get paid, payment often occurs after significant delays and service disconnection. Although paying late is a chronic problem for some customers, others simply find themselves in trouble for the first time and could get back to financial solvency with limited, one-time assistance that avoids disconnection or service interruption.
There are several quick and easy ways to donate to Oasis. To set up recurring donations (as little as 50 cents a month) as part of regular utility billing, customers can call (919) 469-4050 or email Oasis@townofcary.org. Customers can also send a note to Finance staff to start a recurring donation with their next payment. Customers wishing to make one-time donations can mail a check to the Town of Cary Finance Department, PO Box 8049, Cary, NC 27512. Please place Oasis in the notes line.
For more, click on the “Oasis” link at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4050.
###
PRIMARY CONTACTS: Karen Mills, Finance Director, (919) 469-4110
Cindy Nicolaisen, Utility Accounts Manager, (919) 469-4054
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951
CARY, NC – The Town of Cary’s utility bill payment assistance program, Oasis, has been able to help 19 customers who can’t pay their bills since the program begin last fall; however, assistance requests will outpace funds unless additional, regular donations are received. Administered through a partnership with the local non-profit Christian Community in Action, Cary’s Oasis solicits tax-deductible donations from customers and places them in a fund used by CCA to help customers with their overdue Town of Cary water/sewer/solid waste bills and/or plumbing bills for leak repair.
Oasis has raised $8,565.63 in donations since beginning in October 2004, including an $8,000 one-time donation from a group of local developers. In addition, 17 Town of Cary utility customers make recurring donations generating a total of about $43.50 per month. But the program usually needs to pay out about $100 to each customer for a total of $1,890.84 thus far. At this rate, funds will be exhausted in about three years.
“With the average monthly need outpacing monthly donations, it will be very important that additional citizens commit to making regular donations before the generous $8000 lump donation runs out,” said Town of Cary Finance Director Karen Mills. “Another 50 regular donors would help ensure that we can keep our level of service the same.”
Oasis has helped in many different types of circumstances. In one case, Oasis rescued an elderly couple on a fixed income. When the husband was hospitalized, they had to choose between his healthcare and their utility services. In another case, Oasis assisted a father who lost his job and had sole custody of his three children. And in another, a stay-at-home mom suddenly became responsible for all the bills when her husband left her and their son.
“Many of our friends and neighbors are just one step away from needing help,” said Mills.
About 3,600 utility accounts with the Town of Cary are overdue each month. While most of these do get paid, payment often occurs after significant delays and service disconnection. Although paying late is a chronic problem for some customers, others simply find themselves in trouble for the first time and could get back to financial solvency with limited, one-time assistance that avoids disconnection or service interruption.
There are several quick and easy ways to donate to Oasis. To set up recurring donations (as little as 50 cents a month) as part of regular utility billing, customers can call (919) 469-4050 or email Oasis@townofcary.org. Customers can also send a note to Finance staff to start a recurring donation with their next payment. Customers wishing to make one-time donations can mail a check to the Town of Cary Finance Department, PO Box 8049, Cary, NC 27512. Please place Oasis in the notes line.
For more, click on the “Oasis” link at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4050.
###
PRIMARY CONTACTS: Karen Mills, Finance Director, (919) 469-4110
Cindy Nicolaisen, Utility Accounts Manager, (919) 469-4054
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951