A Weekend for Warm Neighbor

The PUD’s approach to the Eat for Heat fundraiser for Warm Neighbor took a turn this year in an effort to increase our fundraising, and it’s great to report the change in plans were very successful! For more than 23 years, the Warm Neighbor Fund at Cowlitz PUD has supported numerous families in Cowlitz County by assisting with their electric bills. These families often struggle to make ends meet and do not qualify for other government assistance programs. The fund is entirely financed through community donations, events, and contributions from Cowlitz PUD employees.

In 2017, the PUD launched the Eat for Heat dinners, which have since provided over 2,000 meals and raised $60,000 for the Warm Neighbor Program. Additionally, the event has contributed $60,000 to local restaurants, breweries, wineries, and farms, while also forming a partnership with Cowlitz County's United Way's Day of Caring to help organize the event.

To further enhance our funding efforts, we hosted the first Annual Warm Neighbor Golf Tournament following the Eat for Heat event. By merging these programs and broadening our outreach, we aimed to educate the public about the significance of this program and boost fundraising for the events. We are thrilled to share that the Weekend for Warm Neighbor raised over $35,000. This achievement was a collective effort, and we extend our gratitude to all the volunteers who contributed to both events and to the golf planning committee for their collaboration in making this event such a success.