By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

Families will be able to keep warm this winter with help from Duke Energy.

The Salvation Army of Rowan County was presented with a $4,018 donation from the Duke Energy Foundation on Monday.

The donation was part of more than $10,000 Duke Energy gave the community for utility assistance.

“As the weather gets colder, people need this resource,” Lisa Parrish, community relations manager for Duke Energy, said.

Duke Energy’s Share the Warmth Program helps struggling families with their energy bills during the winter. It gave more than $1 million in bill assistance to families in the Carolinas and more than $31,000 to Rowan County last year.

The company matches up to $500,000 of what employees, shareholders and customers donate.

The program started in 1985 and has since given more than $33 million to help families stay warm in the winter.

The money is distributed to the families through more than 80 local agencies, including two in Rowan County.

Captain Bobby Carr, corps officer for the Salvation Army, said the funds came at the right time for Rowan County.

“We just had almost 1,000 people lose their jobs here in Rowan County recently with the Daimler plant in Cleveland,” he said. “This comes at a good time for us.”

Captain NaKisha Carr, also a corps officer for the Salvation Army and Bobby Carr’s wife, said the funds are important for the families in Rowan County, especially in January.

“It will keep that many more people in their homes with heat and electricity,” she said.

Rowan Helping Ministries was also given a donation of $6,027.

“It makes a big difference because it allows us to serve more,” Kyna Grubb, executive director of Rowan Helping Ministries, said.

Capt. Bobby and NaKisha Carr encouraged everyone with the means to donate to the fund when they get their energy bill.

“You never know your situation in the future,” Capt. Bobby Carr said.

Customers can donate to the foundation by using the return envelope they get with their bill or by mailing a check to:

Share the Warmth Fund
The Duke Energy Foundation
P.O. Box 35469
Charlotte, N.C. 28254-3429

Customers who use paperless billing can donate by filling out the “Customer Contribution” section while scheduling their payment.

Those in need of energy bill assistance can call the Salvation Army at 704-636-6491 to schedule an appointment.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.