A Lifesaver for Those with Nowhere Else to Turn

Share the Warmth is a non-profit program administered by The Salvation Army. It helps Oklahomans facing financial emergencies pay their home heating costs and stay warm through the winter. Share the Warmth began in 1983 as a joint effort between The Salvation Army and Oklahoma Natural Gas. It's available to Oklahomans in the 67 counties served by Oklahoma Natural Gas, and it's been a lifesaver for those with nowhere else to turn because benefits are strictly limited to those who are not receiving government aid or welfare.

The program is primarily designed to help people over age 62, individuals with disabilities, and those whose immediate cash resources simply cannot cover their home heating expenses. The actual selections are handled entirely by The Salvation Army. All applications for aid are processed through their network of facilities and caseworkers. The Salvation Army makes payments directly to the utility or fuel supplier on behalf of the person chosen to receive the aid.

Although Oklahoma Natural Gas was the utility that founded this program, Share the Warmth helps people regardless of how they heat their home. Funds distributed exclusively by The Salvation Army are used to pay for natural gas, electricity, propane, even wood. It makes no difference. The goal is to keep people warm.

Ways to Contribute
There are three ways to contribute to the program.

The most popular is to check the space designating a gift to the Share the Warmth program on your monthly Oklahoma Natural Gas bill, and to then overpay the bill in the amount you desire to contribute. You can give as little or as much as you'd like.

The Share the Warmth Pledge Program is a convenient way to contribute for our customers who are on the automatic pay program or anyone who wants to make an automatic monthly payment. You may designate any amount you choose to be added to your bill each month. Simply email us and tell us the monthly amount you would like to contribute.

If you prefer, you also can make contributions directly to The Salvation Army by check or money order. Just be sure you designate your gift to the Share the Warmth program. Mail your contributions to:

Salvation Army Headquarters
Share the Warmth Program
P.O. Box 12600
Oklahoma City, OK 73157

How to Apply for Aid
If you'd like to receive help in paying your heating bills through the Share the Warmth program, you will need to apply at your nearest location of the Salvation Army. You'll be asked to meet the following requirements:

• You must be the person responsible for paying your home heating expenses.
• You must live in one of the 58 Oklahoma counties served by Oklahoma Natural Gas.
• You must be facing an immediate financial emergency that prevents you from paying your home heating costs.
• You cannot be receiving government aid through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at the time you apply for Share the Warmth funds. If LIHEAP funds have been exhausted, you may apply.

Home Energy Aid Week
One week each year Oklahoma Natural Gas Company joins The Salvation Army, the state's two largest electric utilities, and other local sponsors to observe Home Energy Aid Week. In communities across the state, various events are held to raise funds to help with the payment of home energy bills for Oklahomans facing a temporary financial crisis. This statewide cooperative effort to raise funds for energy assistance is the only project of its kind in the nation.