Don’t let the recent days of record-setting warm temperatures lull us into thinking the rest of this winter season will be mild. It might be. Then again, more than likely, there will be some below-freezing days and nights.

Whenever that extremely cold weather arrives, there will be some people — a segment of the elderly population and others who are on fixed incomes — who find it difficult to pay their bills when it comes to keeping their homes and themselves warm. The warmth generated by the generosity of caring people can keep those folks warm physically, mentally and spiritually.

Project HELP provides Washington Electric Utilities customers a way to help those who face hurdles paying their heating bills during the winter (not to mention their cooling bills in the summer) season. Project HELP is worthy of the community’s support.

Under Project HELP, the city makes a contribution to help customers who have difficulties paying their utility bills. Project HELP raises money to provided that need help in three ways. The first way allows Washington Electric Utilities customers to round up their utility bills to the nearest dollar amount, with the difference between the amount of the bill and the rounded-up dollar amount going to Project HELP. Another way: a Washington Electric Utilities customer makes a lump-sum donation to Project HELP. The third way: a Washington Electric Utilities customer may designate a specific amount to be added to his or her monthly utility bill, with that designated amount going to Project HELP.

WEU customers are not alone in donating to Project HELP. The city’s electric fund donates $10,000 a year to Project HELP, according to Matt Rauschenbach, the city’s chief financial officer. The city allocates $5,000 to Project HELP in July of each year for use during hot months and $5,000 in December for use during cold months, according to Rauschenbach.

People chosen to receive assistance do not receive cash. Recipients receive vouchers to use toward paying their heating-related bills. This system ensures the money is spent to meet energy needs and not on anything else.

So as freezing temperatures return in the coming weeks, consider doing something as warm-hearted as making a contribution to Project HELP.