Generous contributions from the community, reflected on the CommuniTREE in the Municipal Building, provide much needed assistance to low-income residents. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Throughout April, the CommuniTREE in the Los Alamos County Municipal Building is becoming greener as every one-time contribution to the Utilities Assistance Program (UAP) triggers a leaf being placed on the tree.

Through Friday, April 12, $1,543 in one-time contributions to the program were received. This total includes money received from account holders who round up or add onto their payment stubs when mailing in their utility payments, as well as donations made at Customer Care Center windows.

Monthly or sustained, contributors are being recognized in April on paper lightbulbs strung across the hallway in front of the CommuniTREE. Their monthly donations range from $1 per month to $200 per month. To add monthly contributions to UAP to your utility bill, 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 qualified through the Social Security Administration for Supplemental Security Income (primarily customers over the age of 65), and one-time assistance to utility account holders experiencing unforeseen hardships.

More information on the program can be found at ladpu.com/assist.