Governor Sonny Perdue has proclaimed August 4, 2003 as SHARE DAY in Georgia to highlight Project SHARE, an emergency assistance fund administered by The Salvation Army, and funded through Savannah Electric and other electric and gas utility companies.

To respond to this need, Georgians are encouraged to join the thousands of utility customers already helping their neighbors through Project SHARE. Savannah Electric customers can contribute $1, $2, $5 or $10 to the program automatically each month by simply adding that amount to their August electric bill payment.

The company has provided instructions and information about the program in a special feature in the August bill insert. Savannah Electric uses this method to provide support, saving the cost of promotion for Project SHARE’s summer fund-raising campaign. Customers may also join SHARE at any time by calling the Savannah Electric customer service office at 1-800-437-3890.

Energy assistance is often associated with providing heat during winter months. But extreme summer weather also threatens low-income families, the elderly, those with illness and others in financial crisis. Without assistance, these Georgians may not be able to afford necessities, and could face the health risks associated with hot weather.

Project SHARE began in 1985 as a statewide partnership between The Salvation Army and power companies in Georgia to provide emergency needs such as food, shelter and medical and utility payments. In 2002, Savannah Electric and its customers contributed more than $66,000 to assist families in the five county area served by the company. Savannah Electric also matches approximately $.30 for each dollar donated by their customers.

Funds are distributed in the Savannah area through The Salvation Army Corps Community Center. In other counties where The Salvation Army does not maintain an office, requests for assistance are taken by the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services and forwarded to The Salvation Army for consideration.

For more information about how SHARE helps those in need in your community, call Project SHARE at 1-(800) 25-SHARE. Direct donations by check can be made my mail to The Salvation Army, Project SHARE, P. O. Box 930188, Norcross, GA 30003, or by calling the Savannah Salvation Army at 912-651-7420.