COUNTY News:
The CommuniTREE in the Los Alamos County Municipal Building is gradually gaining leaves as community members contribute to the Utilities Assistance Program (UAP) this month. Each one-time donation during April is represented by a leaf on the tree.
“We’re excited that people are responding to our call for contributions,” said Deputy Utility Manager Karen Kendall of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). “When we decided to campaign for UAP donations by turning the CommuniTREE into a giving tree, we didn’t know if the tree would remain winter bare or fully bloom throughout the month.”
The tree is blooming! Almost $300 in one-time donations were received in the first week of April and are represented by leaves on the tree. This total includes money received from account holders who round up or add onto their payment stubs when mailing in their utility payments. Additionally, five more utility account holders added monthly contributions to their utility bills. Monthly, or sustained, contributors are being recognized in April on paper lightbulbs strung across the hallway in front of the CommuniTREE.
“We think the timing for this campaign may be helping its success,” said Utility Manager Philo Shelton. “It’s possible that as tax refunds are received, people have been willing to direct a portion to help others in need.”
With the five new monthly contributors, there are now 72 sustaining donors to the program. Their monthly donations range from $1 per month to $200 per month. To add monthly contributions to UAP onto your regular monthly utility bills, please visit ladpu.com/Support.
The Utilities Assistance Program is made possible through the generous and voluntary monetary support from Los Alamos County community members. These contributions are essential to funding the program, as Los Alamos County and DPU cannot put money into the program per the State of New Mexico’s anti-donation clause. The program provides seasonal monthly assistance to qualified, low-income residential customers, year-round assistance to customers who are over age 65 or who are qualified through the Social Security Administration for Supplemental Security Income, and one-time assistance to utility account holders experiencing unforeseen hardships. More information on the program can be found at ladpu.com/assist.
In appreciation of those who contribute to the UAP in April, DPU is holding a raffle for swag featuring the department’s emoji mascots: Blinky the lightbulb, Toasty the gas flame, Droppy the water droplet and Duke the poop. When donating to UAP at the Customer Care Center windows, be sure to enter your name in the raffle!