HeartShare and National Grid Launch Mobile Donation to Heating Fund

As the need for heating assistance grows, HeartShare Human

Services of New York and National Grid have created a new and moreefficient way for New Yorkers to help their neighbors by launchinga mobile donation campaign supporting the Neighborhood HeatingFund.

National Grid created the Neighborhood Heating Fund, now in itsthird decade, to assist customers in need. HeartShare HumanServices of New York administers the program serving Brooklyn,Queens and Staten Island. The program runs from December throughMarch, as long as funding is available.

Interested donors can contribute by simply texting WARM to27722 to make a $5 tax-deductible contribution to helpfamilies in need stay warm this winter and replying with the wordYES when prompted to confirm the donation. Standard carrier ratesmay apply.

In the current economic climate, donations from individuals,corporations and foundations are down, said William R. Guarinello,President and CEO of HeartShare. We wanted an easy way for peopleto make donations and help their neighbors in need. This givesdonors the ability to give directly through their phones.

During a time when the economy is still challenging for many ofour customers, we are encouraged by our recent forecast of a 6 to10 percent gas bill reduction for the coming winter season, saidKen Daly, President of National Grid, New York. Some New Yorkersfind themselves in financial need for the first time. As a leaderof the Greater New York civic and business community, it iscritical for National Grid to help neighbors in need keep theirhomes warm and secure with a reliable source of energy thiswinter.

Every dollar contributed to the Neighborhood Heating Fund goesdirectly toward paying heating bills. National Grid covers theadministrative costs. The Neighborhood Heating Fund providesheating assistance funds to qualified applicants in National Grid’sservice area.

Eligibility for assistance is based on New York State HEAPincome guidelines. For additional information about theNeighborhood Heating Fund, including application locations, and themobile giving campaign, call the Neighborhood Heating Fund at (718)422-4207 or visit www.heartshare.org/nhf.

The mobile donation service is offered through mGive, theleading provider for mobile donations in the United States.Established in 2005, mGive works closely with U.S. wirelessoperators and The mGive Foundation to process donations.

HEARTSHARE

Celebrating its 97th year, HeartShare is a nonprofitorganization that assists more than 25,000 New Yorkers. Its widearray of services assist individuals with autism spectrum disordersand other developmental disabilities through numerous programsincluding education services, adult day programs, residentialservices, case management, recreation programs, family supportservices, and health services. It also provides counseling,after-school programs and assistance with foster care and adoptionto

children and families, supports people affected by HIV/AIDS, andadministers low-income energy assistance programs. HeartShare isproud that 90% of all revenue goes directly to its programs andservices. HeartShare

is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services forFamilies and Children and is a BBB Accredited Charity. For moreinformation, visit www.heartshare.org and find HeartShare onFacebook, Twitter and YouTube.

NATIONAL GRID

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gascompany that connects consumers to energy sources through itsnetworks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatestchallenges facing our society – to create new, sustainable energysolutions for the future and developing an energy system thatunderpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Gridholds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it‘joins everything up’.For more information please visit ourwebsite: www.nationalgridus.com. Follow us on Twitter, watch us onYouTube, friend us on Facebook, find our photos on Flickr.