PROJECT HEAT VOLUNTEER HUB

Thank You for Helping to Keep Your Neighbors Warm This Winter

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Project Heat phone script

“Good (Morning, Afternoon, Evening), This is [__________] for NEWS CENTER Maine’s Project Heat.  How may I help you?”

“Would you like to use a credit card to make your donation?”

Open your browser to https://heat.givesmart.com and complete the transaction. Donors may also choose to enter the information themselves on the secure site: keepmewarm.org 

  • Ignore the “Sign In or Register” button on the top right. There is no need to sign in.
  • Select the donation amount. There is a field to enter any amount labelled “Other”, which is a little hard to see.
  • Ignore the “Hide my donation from everyone” button. All donations are anonymous to everyone except United Way, and donor names are never shared. 
  • First name, last name, email, address, and zip code are required to process a donation. 
    • You must input an email address. You cannot add the credit card number without an email address. If a donor refuses, tell them that it is required and their email address won’t be used for anything except for a tax letter. If they continue to refuse, you may use the email address info@uwsme.org. Please only use this if they refuse twice, though.
  • If the donor requests to be anonymous, reassure them that all donors are treated as anonymous and names are never shared publicly. 
  • DO NOT write down the credit card number or repeat it back to the person.
  • Uncheck “save my card information”. However, if you forget, that will only matter if the same email address is used again. If you use the info@ email address, you absolutely must uncheck this box.
  • You will have to complete a picture CAPTCHA to complete the donation.
  • If you forgot a field or take too long, the form can “time out”, and you’ll have to retype the payment information. Please apologize and have the donor give their information again.
  • Once you submit the donation, you will get a confirmation page. If you have get another call, you can click, “Return to Home Page” open a fresh donation page. You can also open heat.givesmart.com again from this page.

“Your credit card statement will reflect United Way as the charge. ”  

“Thank you for your support! Goodbye.”

Make checks payable to United Way of Southern Maine and mail to:

Keep ME Warm
c/o United Way of Southern Maine
550 Forest Avenue, Suite 100
Portland, ME 04101

NOTE: Please record donors name and amount so that we can include it in the final tally in this form: Check Form

Those needing information about fuel assistance should call 2-1-1 Maine by dialing 2-1-1 or texting their zip code to 898-211. 2-1-1 will share information on heating assistance and weatherization services in their area. 2-1-1 Maine is a statewide health and human services information and referral service created by the United Ways of Maine, in partnership with The Opportunity Alliance and the State of Maine.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please be set up and ready to go 15 mins before your volunteer time. We will switch out phone numbers (the public will never have your number) at the shift change, so it will be helpful if you are ready to go. Lag time at the end of your shift could last up to 15 mins as we switch out the phone numbers. Have your chargers for laptops and cell phones ready to go.

The social media hashtag is #ProjectHEAT, so take a picture of yourself on the phone during your shift and post it with this hashtag asking friends and viewers to call. Be sure to post the number to call. 

Write down their name and number to reach them. Tell them someone will call them back. Email eagnew@uwsme.org the caller’s name, number, and question, and we can call them back for you.

From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dead River Company will match up to $20,000 of viewers’ donations.

Project Heat was designed by NEWS CENTER Maine with United Way to help Mainers in need during this winter’s heating season. All the money raised from Project Heat will go to the Keep ME Warm fund.

Yes. Callers should consult with their tax professional for questions about individual deductions, etc. 

The Keep ME Warm fund was established in 2008 and is a statewide partnership of the seven United Ways in Maine and the 10 Community Action Programs to supplement fuel assistance programs. Donations are distributed through a formula based on federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) percentages and population, and are used to assist individuals directly, or designated to local organizations that provide emergency fuel assistance, including faith-based programs and nonprofit agencies.

Your donations to Keep ME Warm will provide emergency heating assistance. Community Action Programs will use the funds to help households with fuel assistance that may not be eligible for limited federal, state or local fuel assistance programs. United Ways and 211 Maine will use the funds to support additional organizations and agencies that can help those in need of fuel assistance.

Yes. To cover the cost of processing donations and distributing the funds throughout Maine, there is a 5% fee on donations.

Those needing information about fuel assistance should call 2-1-1 Maine by dialing 2-1-1 or texting their zip code to 898-211. 2-1-1 will share information on heating assistance and weatherization services in their area. 2-1-1 Maine is a statewide health and human services information and referral service created by the United Ways of Maine, in partnership with The Opportunity Alliance and the State of Maine.