Samaritan Center receives 50 air conditioners

Shane Boessen, near, and Carlos Robinette, stack air conditioners delivered to the Samaritan Center Monday morning, courtesy of Ameren UE. The window unit models will be given to area residents who can prove need but are unable to purchase one. Photo by Julie Smith.

By Julie Smith

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Before the full heat of the day had set in on Monday, officials with Ameren Missouri had already given 50 Energy Star window air conditioning units to the Samaritan Center, which will the distribute them to clients with medical needs.

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For the sixth year, Ameren gave the units to the center to help combat the heat.

Marylyn DeFeo, volunteer executive director of the Samaritan Center, said with the heat they have seen an increase in the needs for all of their services. Last week they handed out all 128 box fans.

“It was hot then already and everyone needed a fan, so in one day we gave out all we had,” she said.

DeFeo noted they are serving 1,400 families a month, many living in homes with no air conditioning or who cannot afford to pay an elevated bill from air conditioning.

More like this story

dokeus6 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Thank you Ameren!

spelchek 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Yes, and thank you Ameren for the Taum Sauk reservoir disaster which our recent energy price increase isn't paying for (so we're told).

dokeus6 10 months, 3 weeks ago

I thought that is what capitalist corporations do? You mean your not for the company since they are charging you?

JCLifer 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Thank you for this month's $300 electric bill. Also, thanks to Missouri American Water for the $200 water bill since my spouse has been watering the flower bed. Thank you to the JC Gas Cartel for the expensive JC gas too.

dokeus6 10 months, 3 weeks ago

That 300 bill is on you and so is the 200 water bill. You are the one consuming the electricity. They are just sending you the bill to pay for your use.

JMO 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Wtih the forcast for the next 10 days being 98 degrees or higher every day, I expect there are 50 families very thankful to Ameren for this donation.

mmhh 10 months, 3 weeks ago

JCLIfer: $300 electric bill? Geez! Either you bought a giant, useless house or sleep with the fridge door wide open. Turn your thermostat up. It's 2012!!!!!! Learn how to conserve energy. How many lawns are you watering for $200? What selfish use of resources!!!

JCLifer 10 months, 3 weeks ago

LMAO at you hecklers who are on Ameren and MO Am Water! You are gonna be screaming for the Vaseline when you get your bills with all the recent rate increases. For those of you on electric coops and water districts, you won't know what I am talking about.

dokeus6 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Yea you folks that are on electrical coops are paying to build new warehouses and new offices for those coops with your capital credits.

whocares 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Apparently you weren't aware that Coops buy their electric from Ameren. that's why they charge more than Ameren does. Do a little research.

Littleinvestor 10 months, 3 weeks ago

While co-ops buy some power from Ameren, the ones in this area are supplied primarily by Central Electric Cooperative, a wholesale/distribution co-op. The state's electric cooperatives own coal-fired power generating facilities near Moberly, Springfield and New Madrid, purchase some wind power and also are served by the Southwest Power Administration, which distributes power produced at Army Corps of Engineers lakes, including Truman Lake. They buy the cheapest power they can at the time they need it. Sometimes it's Ameren, sometimes its not. Ameren will buy power on the open market if it is available more cheaply than they can produce it or they can't produce enough, by the way.

jeffcitygirl 10 months, 3 weeks ago

When I was on a co-op my bill was higher than being on Ameren, and they were extremely inflexible about payment arrangements, would shut off the power for being 1 day late on payments, etc. As much as I hate that someone gets to profit off of a basic necessity that we all HAVE to have and that we have NO choice as to who we buy if from, I'll say Ameren has always had great customer service at least!

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