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Share and share alike |
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Tuesday, 29 July 2008 |
Anonymous donor gives monthly to Benton Utilities program
An anonymous donor is making a significant contribution each month to the Benton Utilities Share Program.
“While we appreciate each contribution to this fund, we have one gentleman that has gone above and beyond our expectations,” Terry McKinney, general manager of Benton Utilities, said.
“This customer — who wishes to remain anonymous — came into the utilities billing office to speak to Cindy Hawkins, customer service-billing manager,” he said.
According to McKinney, the man “simply wanted to help his neighbors in need.”
“He explained that he was burdened for the struggling and elderly in his hometown and wanted to give assistance to these people,” he said. “This gentleman did not want to know who it was he was helping, but he needed someone to choose a deserving person each month.”
Before the implementation of the Share Program, this would have been difficult to accomplish, McKinney said.
“After hearing how the Share board members determined who would receive assistance, this customer felt this would be the best opportunity to accomplish his goal.”
When asked what amount he wanted to contribute each month, he said, “I’m going to write you a check now, and that is the amount I want added to my Share contribution each month from now on.”
Expecting what would have been “a very generous gift of up to $50, Mrs. Hawkins was overjoyed and pleasantly surprised when she was handed a check for $200,” McKinney said.
In the beginning, when the Share Program was in its infancy, some people ridiculed Benton Utilities for starting this program which rounds the billed amount up to the nearest whole dollar, he noted.
“Some even complained that it was unconstitutional,” he said. “However, an overwhelming majority chose to participate in the program, and many have chosen to give additional amounts ranging from $1 to $10 per month.”
The purpose of this program is to assist elderly, handicapped and families struggling to make ends meet because of escalating utility bills and increased costs of living, McKinney noted.
Three people who have received assistance from the Benton Utilities Share Program spoke about its benefits.
Carl Buchanan called the program “a godsend.”
“I can’t thank the city enough for this,” he said.”It’s been the most wonderful thing that’s happened to me.”
He said he learned about the program from an article that appeared in the Courier.
“You don’t expect you’ll ever need this kind of help, but then you do,” Buchanan said. “It’s great when people step up and say they’re willing to give other people a hand. I’m proud of them, and I’m so appreciative of the help.”
Linda Ford is another who’s been helped by the Share Program, which she called “wonderful.”
“It helps out when you need it and I really have needed it. I’ve used it twice.”
Ford, who is a widow, said her husband, Jesse, worked for the city.
“We’re fortunate to have the kind of city that will offer a program to help people when they need it,” she said.
“It’s nice to know that this help is out there if I need it again.”
Lucy Pranger also has benefited from the Share Program.
“I greatly appreciate it,” she said. “I was in the hospital in June after having a stroke. My utility bill got lost in the mail, so I got behind on my payments.
“It was marvelous to get this assistance when I really needed it,” she said.
Since that experience, she has converted to levelized billing, which also has been helpful, she said.
“I’m 75 and live on a fixed income,” Pranger said. “There are a lot of other people that can benefit from this, too. I hope they will look into it.”
McKinney said local contributors are making this program possible and helping Benton Utilities to reach its goal to help people as they struggle with high utility costs.
“Our contributors continually warm the hearts of everyone involved with this program to see ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ right here in our community,” he said.
Anyone who opted out of the program and would like to participate at this time may opt in by contacting the Benton Utilities Billing Services office in person or by phone. After six months’ participation, residential customers are eligible to apply for assistance from the program.
“Benton Utilities is pleased to see this program up and working well,” McKinney said. “It is our goal to keep it functioning for all involved.
“Once again, we would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to this anonymous donor,” he added. “You are an example to us all. You, along with all of our contributors, are helping to make this program successful.”
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Razorbacks
