Spire helps 'Rise and Shine' with Heat Up St. Louis

Spire supported Heat Up St. Louis at the organization's 23rd annual "Rise and Shine for Heat" event at local Hardee's restaurants on Friday, Feb. 10, with a $200,000 commitment to assist customers struggling with utility bills.

Vonda Cotton, community outreach specialist, presented representatives from Heat Up St. Louis with a ceremonial check donation at Hardee's Chesterfield location live on KTVI-TV (Fox channel 2 in St. Louis).

"Spire is a proud supporter of Heat Up St. Louis," Vonda said. "We're committed to helping communities where we live and work, and this $200,000 commitment is an example of how we do that."

In accepting the donation, Michael McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, said, "As a member of the executive committee, we want to say thank you to Spire for this tremendous donation and this huge partnership that we have. These finds will go immediately to help senior citizens, the disabled, people who have lost their jobs and need help in this entire region."

Watch the TV segment below.

Vivian Dunn, community services partner also presented a ceremonial check at the Hardee's location in St. Peters, Mo., live on KSDK-TV (NBC channel 5 in St. Louis).

"We've all seen the impact inflation has had on our communities, and that's why we made a commitment to Heat Up St. Louis and the Hardee's Rise and Shine," Vivian told KSDK's Scott Connell.

You can watch the segment below: 

The "Rise and Shine" event is Heat Up St. Louis' biggest fundraiser, with Hardee's selling sausage biscuits for $1 and all proceeds going back to the organization.