PRESS RELEASE

March 17, 2009                                                           CONTACT:    Steve O’Neil, County Commissioner

                                                                                                            St. Louis County Courthouse

For Immediate Release:                                                                    Duluth, MN   (218-726-2359)

“2009 Great Refrigerator/Freezer Roundup Rewards Homeowners and Salvation Army HeatShare”

On Thursday, March 19^th at 11:00 a.m. a press conference will be held to announce a significant contribution to the Salvation Army’s Heatshare through an innovative refrigerator/freezer turn-in program, sponsored by Minnesota Power and St. Louis County.

The “Great Refrigerator/Freezer Roundup” encouraged Minnesota Power customers to save energy by turning in their old, inefficient refrigerators and freezers to Minnesota Power for a $50 reward. The appliances were then properly recycled. For every appliance collected, Minnesota Power made a $25 contribution to the Salvation Army’s HeatShare fund which helps low income families in St. Louis County pay their winter heating bills.

The “Great Refrigerator/Freezer Roundup is expected to operate for the next two years, but the Heat Share donation was featured only during the months of January and February.  The press conference will be held in the County Board Room on the Second Floor of the St. Louis County Courthouse, 100 North 5^th Avenue West, Duluth, MN.

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