Emergency Fuel Fund Opens as Winter Kicks In
January 10, 2022 (Deer Park, NY) – As winter kicks in, Long Island is experiencing temperatures that have dropped below freezing. To ensure the heat stays on in homes across the region, United Way of Long Island, in partnership with Nassau Inter-County Express/NICE Bus, is raising awareness about Project Warmth.
As Long Island’s only island-wide, non-governmental emergency heating fund, United Way’s Project Warmth program opened Tuesday, January 4, 2022, as a safety net for individuals and families facing energy insecurity. Assistance with an oil delivery or heat-related utility bill means people may not have to worry about keeping warm this winter.
With approximately 90,000 residents utilizing its bus service, NICE Bus has donated the placement and production of Project Warmth placards in all 280 of its Nassau County buses to initiate an awareness campaign reaching potential Project Warmth recipients. The Public Service Announcements will remain on buses through March 2022.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said, “It is vitally important to connect people to a service that can provide them with a warm home during these winter months. The free Project Warmth billboards NICE Bus is providing on all of its 280 buses are reaching more than 90,000 riders and potential recipients of oil and energy heating assistance, and is a commendable partnership between the private sector and the not-for-profit community.”
“No family should have to choose between buying medication, groceries, or keeping their homes warm during the frigid winter months. NICE Bus is glad to support United Way and help introduce this critical program to Long Island families,” said Jack Khzouz, Chief Executive Officer of NICE Bus.
Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island, added, “NICE Bus understands the impact of Project Warmth. Their dedication to promoting this program by increasing visibility across Long Island continues to make them a very important partner.” Leading supporters of United Way of Long Island’s Project Warmth include National Grid Foundation and PSEG Long Island. Additional top sponsors include, BNY Mellon - Matthew T Mellon Foundation, Capital One, Carbo Industries, Esquire Bank, Flushing Bank, The Horace & Amy Hagedorn Fund at NY Community Trust, The Randi and Clifford Lane Foundation, National Grid, NYS Energy Coalition, Northville Industries, Ørsted/ Eversource, Petro, Swezey Fuel, TriState Capital Bank, UPS and Vane Line Bunkering
Since its inception in 1994, Project Warmth has provided more than $10 million in emergency funding to more than 94,000 children and adults. Eligible applicants include residents who are experiencing a heating emergency, have a low or empty oil tank, have received a disconnection notice, and can demonstrate financial hardship. This is especially critical for seniors, veterans, families with young children and people with disabilities.
Project Warmth will be offered throughout the winter, until the funds are exhausted, to assist households not eligible for emergency HEAP or who have exhausted the benefit. For assistance from Project Warmth, contact United Way of Long Island’s 2-1-1 helpline by dialing 2-1-1, or outside of Nassau and Suffolk Counties 1-888-774-7633, 7 days a week 24 hours a day, or visit 211longisland.org or unitedwayli.org/projectwarmth.
Photo Caption (credit NICE Bus): Jack Khzouz, Chief Executive Officer of NICE Bus is joined by Alexander G. Bateman, Jr., Partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. and Chair of United Way of Long Island’s Board of Directors to launch its Public Service Announcement campaign for Project Warmth through the display of placards on all 280 NICE Buses throughout Nassau County.
About NICE Bus
Nassau Inter-County Express/NICE Bus serves as the transportation provider for Nassau County’s public bus and paratransit system. NICE works on a mission of providing the residents of Nassau County with safe, reliable and innovative transportation services. Over the past eighty years, NICE & Able-Ride paratransit buses have traveled over 80 million miles, providing over 200 million passenger trips – approximately 26 million passenger trips a year - by a team of roughly 850 employees. With a fleet of 300+ compressed natural gas buses, NICE is committed to ensuring Nassau County operates a sustainable public transit system for the future.