Salvation Army helps families with summer AC bills

Temperatures are rising.

Air conditioning costs and utilities leap with the thermostat.

A family struggling to get by can find themselves making even more difficult decisions as they face a surge in needs. 

The Salvation Army has lined up volunteers to help connect local families to funds aimed to assist Maricopa residents and families with utility bills in the summer and to connect them to long-term help. Families can qualify for $150 of one-time emergency utility assistance.

It’s tougher than usual this year, as a shorter holiday fundraising season left the Maricopa area with fewer donations. And another short fundraising season is ahead this year. Donations are sought year-round, but the traditional bell ringers have less time to collect donations between Thanksgiving and the end of the year.

The Salvation Army helps families through emergencies and with additional needs, such as food.

“It is volunteer-run here in Maricopa,” field representative Tonya Sorensen said. “Our motto is doing the most good. We try to empower, but we also ask people to take some responsibility. Our volunteers do a fantastic job of empowering those who come in for help.

“If a senior comes in, and is on diabetic medicines and Social Security, and we want to try to help them for now … we have also helped kids if they had broken bones and don’t have insurance, we’ve been able to arrange to help families with different issues.”

Volunteer Charlotte Hall said the Salvation Army is also looking for more volunteers — people who want to help families get on their feet.

“We always can use more help to keep up with the need,” she said.

Donna Verhelst, a retired teacher, is a team captain.

“When I retired, I found it hard staying home all the time,” she said. “I do like serving people.

“We talk with a client and find out what is their emergency,” Verhelst said. For utilities, she said, “you cannot be more than $500 past due. And you do have to be past due. We don’t give handouts, we give hand ups, to get them out of that situation.

“We want people to know the Salvation Army is here in the community.”

Residents can contact Salvation Army to get emergency needs filled through the organization and its partners. Volunteers can help with that interview process and with jobs such as bagging holiday toys.

“Our volunteers really love this community,” Verhelst said. “There are some really sad stories that come through here, from divorces happening, to a lot of health issues and domestic abuse.  We have a large retirement community here. It’s important to have resources in place to help, and educate.”