Nelson and Patricia Dixon

Nelson and Patricia Dixon thought they had achieved the American Dream. They believed -- like all of us -- that if they worked hard, they would have a good life. And life was good for many years. They worked hard: Mr. Dixon was a supervisor at an Atlanta-based hospital. Mrs. Dixon worked for a major airline for 29 years. When her mother became ill, Mrs. Dixon had to take early retirement to care for her, but she managed to land another job with a large corporation. They lived in a beautiful home. Then things changed. The economy took a huge downturn, and both Mr. and Mrs. Dixon lost their jobs. Even worse, Mr. Dixon had undergone a liver transplant, but with no health insurance benefits and no retirement package, he could barely afford the medicines to keep his body from rejecting the implant. The couple found themselves facing huge utility bills, high medical bills, and expensive prescriptions. Plus, they were still paying on their house. "The money just wasn't there," said Mrs. Dixon. They had to make a choice they never thought they would need to make: Pay for heat or buy medicines. Like so many people in need, the couple wasn't looking for a hand out -- or a bail out. "We want to work," said Mrs. Dixon. But the jobs just weren't there. Then they heard about H.E.A.T. The couple applied, and received emergency funds to pay their utility bill. "H.E.A.T.'s help came at a time when we really needed it. We are so thankful," said Mrs. Dixon. "We will never forget it."

Kama Favourite

Kama F. came to America seeking a better life for her four children - Krystal, 13; Kevon, 10; Kitana, 5; and one-year-old Ky-Mani. Originally from Guyana, South America, Kama moved to metropolitan Atlanta three years ago. She fell in love with the Southern city after attending a wedding there. In just three short years, Kama managed to buy a home for her family on an annual income of less than $15,000. It was a sure sign that the better life she had come to America seeking was finally within her grasp. Unfortunately, home ownership quickly turned from a major accomplishment into a major burden. "I did not realize all of the bills that came with owning a home," said Kama. She struggled, especially during the winter months, to pay everything. Yet she managed to open her heart - and her home - to three other relatives who needed a place to live. Now Kama was supporting a household of eight. When she received a cut-off notice for her gas service, "I didn't know what I was going to do," she said. Thanks to a teacher at her daughter's day care center, Kama found out about H.E.A.T. She applied for help, and received emergency funds to pay her gas bill. "Thank you," said Kama. "This lifted a huge burden off me and my family." Kama also had a message for H.E.A.T.'s donors: "Your contributions definitely helped me. It is great to know that there are Good Samaritans out there."

Patrick Hlavaty

Until January 2008, Woodstock resident Patrick Hlavaty was a full-time musician, playing and teaching piano and guitar. But a sudden diabetic seizure caused him to fall, leaving him unable to walk normally and no longer able to use his left hand to play musical instruments. He was forced to retire without enough resources to make ends meet. At the time of the seizure, Mr. Pat, as he likes to be called, was the sole bread winner for his family. His wife was not able to work after having hip replacement surgery. Their only income was a small teacher's pension and a limited amount of social security. "I've been an independent person all my life. I've always worked," he said. "But that one day forced me to depend on other people and organizations. It bothered the heck out of me." Concerned about mounting energy bills, Mr. Pat applied for energy assistance and received much-needed help to pay his heating bills. "I want to thank all contributors to H.E.A.T.," he says, "because without caring people like them, anyone in my situation would not know where to turn." Hopeful that surgery will help correct his condition, Mr. Pat looks forward to playing music again in the future. "I want to be back at work and be self-sufficient again," he says.

Annie Harris

For most of her life, Atlanta resident Annie Harris took care of other people. She cleaned their homes and provided loving care for their children. But when serious health problems forced the 65-year-old to retire, she quickly realized that this time she was the one who needed help. Ms. Harris suffers from high blood pressure and sleep apnea, and she receives dialysis three times a week. She is always connected to her oxygen tank and has to sleep with a breathing mask on at night. Her small fixed monthly income often leaves her with some tough decisions - should she buy food or pay her monthly bills? Often the food comes last. But when she heard from friends about the possibility of getting energy assistance, she applied and received some much-needed financial help with her energy bills. "Before I got help, I sat in the dark many nights without lights because I couldn't pay my electric bill," she says. Ms. Harris says she would rather be self-sufficient and not have to ask for assistance. "I'd rather be independent," she explains, "but I have to overcome the feeling that I'm begging. So many people are like me. They can't help where they are. I encourage anyone who can to give to H.E.A.T. because if I could, I would give, too. H.E.A.T. is a blessing to a lot of people."

Evelyn Gregory

Evelyn Gregory's face lights up when she talks about her tiny great grand daughter, whom Ms. Gregory calls "the joy of my life." A widow living on just over $1,000 a month, the 77-year-old Clayton County resident pays a $300 monthly fee for the lot where her all-electric mobile home sits, homeowners insurance of $400 a year, and $400 in annual property taxes, in addition to her utility costs and auto repair expenses. When all is said and done, she often has just $50 a month to spend on groceries. This winter Ms. Gregory will apply for energy assistance at the Claxton County Community Action Agency. The agency helps distributes energy assistance funds raised by H.E.A.T. "I worry about my bills all the time. Where can I go when I can't pay them?" she asks. "If I pay my utility bills, I sometimes don't have any money for food. It's a mighty good thing that a program like H.E.A.T. does such good work. I've been able to get help with my heating bills at the beginning of the heating season, and I'm so grateful for that."

Cathy Gibson

Raising two small grand daughters would be challenging for anyone on disability, but Decatur resident Cathy Gibson wouldn't have it any other way. For nearly 10 years Ms. Gibson worked in a DeKalb County nursing home, but about six years ago her high blood pressure forced her to quit working and seek disability payments. Then, just a year ago, she found out she also has diabetes. The increased medical expenses, along with the cost of raising two small children, made it difficult to pay her heating bills. When she received a cut-off notice for her natural gas service last year, she realized she had to act quickly to get help. She called United Way's 2-1-1 help line and was referred to Partnership for Community Action in DeKalb County, which distributes energy assistance funds on H.E.A.T.'s behalf. She applied for energy assistance there, and got much-needed financial help right away. "It is so important that people give to H.E.A.T. so the money can help people in need," said Ms.Gibson. "Whenever I can, if I have a little extra money, I like to give, too, so I can help others."

Reda Tucker

Until her husband became ill in 1999, Reda Tucker of Warthen, Georgia, worked outside the home to help meet household expenses. But Mr. Tucker's diabetes caused kidney failure, resulting in the need for routine dialysis. He then suffered two strokes that left him unable to walk and in need of round-the-clock home care. Financial resources were very limited. The family could not afford an in-home nurse or a nursing home. Mrs. Tucker had no choice but to quit her job and take full responsibility for the care of her husband. To further complicate matters, Mrs. Tucker suffered back and knee problems while lifting her husband to bathe him or turn him in bed. Mr. Tucker 's limited monthly income did not cover the family's household expenses, let alone the cost of life-saving medication. With their propane tank only 10% full during the coldest time of the year, the Tuckers found themselves needing help to stay warm. "All I could do was pray, "said Mrs. Tucker. "I called the Department of Human Resources, and they told me about H.E.A.T. I got the help we so badly needed the same day I applied. It was like a miracle." Mrs. Tucker is so grateful for the help she received that she wants everyone to know about her experience. "I want to thank everyone who contributes to H.E.A.T.," she stated. "It truly made a difference in our lives."