November 4, 2002

Norfolk – Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) is getting into the holiday spirit early. The utility will match contributions made by its customers to EnergyShare, a program that helps needy families pay their heating bills.

Envelopes in VNG bills help customers contribute, and VNG will match those contributions up to a total of $40,000.

Administered by the Salvation Army, EnergyShare is an energy assistance program that helps pay the home heating bills of low-income families. The program assists those who have either exhausted or do not qualify for federal or state assistance and covers any heating bill – wood, oil, coal, gas, kerosene or electricity.

“We encourage our customers to make their tax-deductible donations in order to help their neighbors this winter,” said Hank Linginfelter, president of VNG. “The Energy Information Administration is predicting higher energy costs this winter, so our donations will be needed. With our matching fund, our customers’ donations will go twice as far.”

Linginfelter added that the program is designed to make giving easy. VNG customers can simply write a check payable to EnergyShare and mail it in the envelope enclosed with their bills. However, customers should not enclose donations with their regular bill payments, which could delay processing and result in a late payment charge.

Customers also may mail donations directly to EnergyShare at P.O. Box 12737, Norfolk, VA 23541-0737.

If Hampton Roads residents need heating assistance, said Linginfelter, they should contact their local Salvation Army office:

• Tidewater Area Command / Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach – 757-455-9677
• Hampton and Newport News – 757-247-5465
• Suffolk – 757-539-5201
• Williamsburg – 757-229-6651
• Portsmouth – 757-393-2519