Ameren Missouri opened the summer heat season with a familiar act of service — delivering relief before the temperatures climb. On Thursday, the company donated 950 ENERGY STAR-certified window air conditioners to Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org. Volunteers filled the Fleet Services Building on Gratiot Street, unpacking and preparing units that will soon make their way to seniors and vulnerable households across St. Louis and communities throughout Missouri.
The donation continues a twenty-one-year partnership with the Cool Down organizations and their “Save Our Seniors” project, which is celebrating 26 years of service. Together, the groups have delivered more than 20,000 energy-efficient units to older adults, families with infants and residents with medical vulnerabilities.
Michael Moehn, group president of Ameren Utilities, said the annual effort is essential as temperatures rise. “Living through the heat of a Midwest summer can be really hard, and we know that hot weather can put added strain on households needing reliable cooling,” he said. “Thanks to this longstanding and impactful partnership, our customers will have access to air conditioners and cooling resources ahead of the dangerous summer heat.”
Community partners emphasized that the need extends far beyond comfort. Energy-efficient units cost less than a dollar a day to operate, making them a practical option for households trying to stay safe without overwhelming their budgets. Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org work with more than 38 agencies to ensure seniors, low-income families and people with disabilities can access cooling units and utility assistance.
Missouri Lt. Gov. David Wasinger, a longtime Cooldownmissouri.org board member, called the charity “a vital lifeline” for vulnerable residents. “Our partnership with Ameren acts as a much-needed life preserver for Missourians who simply cannot afford a new, energy-efficient window air conditioner,” he said.
Photo by Lawrence Bryant | St. Louis American
St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, who also serves as Cooldownmissouri.org’s safety chair, said he has seen firsthand how dangerous the heat can be. “During my tenure as a firefighter and chief, I’ve responded to numerous service calls where tragedy could have been avoided with something as simple as a cooling unit,” he said. He added that the statewide collaboration — from donors to media to social service agencies — “saves lives each summer.”
Local agencies echoed the urgency. Linda Huntspon, CEO of the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, said reliable cooling “is essential to the health and safety of families, seniors and vulnerable residents during extreme summer heat.” Urban League President and CEO Michael P. McMillan noted that the annual A/C giveaway is especially critical in older brick homes across the urban core. “As the weather becomes more extreme, affordability has become a real home budget issue,” he said. “This joint summer project has helped thousands of seniors and families stay safe and stay alive.”
In addition to the air conditioners, Ameren Missouri and Cool Down partners are distributing 200,000 cooling cards with safety tips and resource information. Seniors, people with disabilities and income-eligible residents can apply for assistance through Cooldownstlouis.org, Cooldownmissouri.org or by calling 314-241-0001 or 314-834-0034.
Ameren Missouri also offers several programs to help customers manage energy costs, including bill credits, crisis assistance, veterans support and flexible payment arrangements. More information is available at AmerenMissouri.com/EnergyAssistance.