Emergency Fuel Fund Opens
Long Island has already experienced a number of cold days and with winter just beginning, United Way of Long Island in partnership with Nassau Inter-County Express/NICE Bus is raising awareness of Project Warmth. 
As Long Island’s only island-wide non-governmental emergency heating fund, United Way’s Project Warmth program is available beginning today, December 16, 2019, as a safety net for individuals and families who are facing energy insecurity. Assistance with an oil delivery or heat-related utility bill means people have room in their budgets to cover essentials like food or medication.
To help get the message out, NICE Bus has placed Project Warmth billboards in all 350 of its buses throughout Nassau County. Given a daily ridership of approximately 90,000 residents, the awareness campaign should make a significant impact in reaching potential Project Warmth recipients. The Public Service Announcements will remain on buses through March 2020.
“No family should have to worry about keeping the heat on for their loved ones this winter season. NICE is glad to support United Way and help educate Long Island’s families about this excellent support,” said Jack Khzouz, Chief Executive Officer of NICE Bus.
Theresa A. Regnante, President & CEO of United Way of Long Island added, “It is because of our dedicated partners, including NICE Bus, that United Way is able to increase our visibility, but most importantly, continue to reach Long Islanders in all corners of the region.”
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 that 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 9:00am – 5:00pm, or visit 211longisland.org or unitedwayli.org/projectwarmth.
Thanks to leading supporters National Grid Foundation, National Grid, PSEG Long Island and NICE Bus, United Way can keep Long Islanders safe this season. To support Project Warmth, please make a contribution on United Way of Long Island’s website at unitedwayli.org/projectwarmth.
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.
Photo Caption: Theresa A. Regnante, President & CEO of United Way of Long Island, and Jack Khzouz, Chief Executive Officer of NICE Bus, hold one of the 350 Project Warmth billboards placed on NICE buses throughout this winter season.
About United Way of Long Island
United Way of Long Island advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, financial stability and health. We recruit people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become part of the change. United Way of Long Island is part of a worldwide network spanning across 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. For more information about United Way of Long Island, please visit UnitedWayLI.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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 eight 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 1,000 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.
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