January 22, 2016 - Black Hills Energy, the new brand name for Black Hills Power, announced today it will host the 5 Annual Walk For Warmth event in downtown Rapid City on Saturday, February 6 at 2:00 pm. Walk For Warmth benefits the Black Hills Cares program, which provides energy assistance to people in need throughout the Black Hills region.

Healthcare, mortgage payments, food, phone and other monthly costs can add up. All winter, extremely cold temperatures drive an increase in the demand for heating energy - whether electricity, propane, natural gas or wood - causing a significant increase in heating bills that can strain budgets even further.

There is something we can do to help, suggests local electric utility Black Hills Energy.

'Lower temperatures create a spike in applications for energy assistance at local agencies, and we want to increase awareness of the Black Hills Cares energy assistance program as an effective way to give a gift of warmth to someone in our community,' said Vance Crocker, vice president of operations at Black Hills Energy.

Black Hills Energy matches donations to Black Hills Cares dollar-for-dollar, and forwards the total to assistance agencies in the community. In Rapid City, applications and funds are managed by the Salvation Army and Church Response. 'Black Hills Energy values our partnerships with the communities we serve and continue to support community initiatives,' Crocker said. 'Customers who open their hearts to neighbors in need can be assured that their donation and matching contribution from Black Hills Energy stays in our community.'

Black Hills Energy customers can indicate the amount of a one-time or monthly contribution to Black Hills Cares on the return portion of their bill, or select a fixed monthly amount, or utilize the recurring Round-Up option. Donations to Black Hills Cares also can be made through the company's online eBill program, a fast, free and paperless way to view and pay the bill online.

Black Hills Energy offers a number of programs to help customers effectively manage their energy, and urges customers to call their customer care line at 800-742-8948 to discuss its services, energy assistance program and payment plans.

The Walk For Warmth route begins and ends at Main Street Square in downtown Rapid City. Over forty downtown businesses will offer specials and discounts to participants during Walk For Warmth. The event raised $22,000 in 2015 through customer, employee and company matching contributions. To participate in Walk For Warmth 2016, register online at www.blackhillsenergy.com/walkforwarmt.

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Black Hills Corporation issued this content on 2016-01-22 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 2016-01-22 19:46:14 UTC

Original Document: http://www.blackhillscorp.com/node/117463