Helping pay for those high energy bills

Keeping cool in the summer is a full-time job some Oklahomans can't afford. As temperatures go up, so does the cost of air conditioning, but some generous Oklahomans are stepping up to foot the bill.

Thursday, July 14th 2005, 9:58 am

By: News On 6

Keeping cool in the summer is a full-time job some Oklahomans can't afford. As temperatures go up, so does the cost of air conditioning, but some generous Oklahomans are stepping up to foot the bill.

News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson says the Salvation Army gets between 200 and 300 calls every day from people who need help paying their utility bills.

Jerry Thurman is one of the folks who applied for help on Thursday. He was recently declared disabled and unable to work. Heâ€™s now on a fixed income and for the first time is having trouble making ends meet. Thurman says his Social Security check covered the bases, until his roof started leaking, draining his funds for utility bills. "My utility would be cut off if I don't receive this assistance, its cut and dried. That's it; it's a life-saving deal."

Salvation Army executive director Tracey Booth: â€œwe can usually, within 24 hours, assist a family and keep the utilities on. We have a good relationship with the utility company and just make a promise over the phone to them and manage to keep their utilities on."

The Salvation Army provides utility assistance by appointment only. For help, you can call 582-7201 and they'll tell you what you need to bring to apply.