Our Testimonials

Colin’s Story

At 62 years old, Mr. Colin O’Connor of Decatur built a quiet life for himself. An immigrant from Ireland with no family in Georgia, he worked steadily as a contract laborer until early this year, when his employment unexpectedly ended. The timing could not have been worse. January through March brought some of the coldest days of the season, and without income, Mr. O’Connor quickly fell behind on his utility bills.

For him, cold is more than discomfort, it affects his health. When his gas service was shut off, the temperature inside his apartment dropped sharply. He had no way to heat his home and no gas to cook his meals. The bitter cold began to take a toll on his body, and he feared his health would continue to decline.

Mr. O’Connor first sought help through LIHEAP, but by February, their federal funds were exhausted. His case worker at the DeKalb County Community Action Agency referred him to the Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT), hoping that HEAT could step in where other resources could not.

HEAT did exactly that.

Within days, HEAT restored Mr. O’Connor’s gas service, bringing warmth, safety, and stability back into his home. The relief was immediate, and profound.

“I cannot say enough about what HEAT did for me. When the cold was hurting my health and I had nowhere else to turn, HEAT brought the warmth back into my home. I am truly grateful. They gave me my life back.” — Mr. Colin O’Connor

Today, Mr. O’Connor is focused on regaining his footing and rebuilding after his job loss. He shares his story in hopes that others will know that help is available, and that HEAT is here for Georgians facing hardship, especially when the cold threatens their wellbeing.

Robert and Amy’s Story

In March, Robert and Amy Hahn of Johns Creek found themselves facing an unexpected crisis. Their household of three, two parents and their 5-year-old son, had been struggling through a difficult two-month period marked by recurring illnesses. With only Robert’s income from his job at a local church, their annual gross income of $22,888 left no margin for emergencies.

One afternoon, Amy discovered a notice on the door: their gas service had already been disconnected. No warning, no time to prepare, just the shock of losing heat and hot water in the middle of an already challenging season.

Searching for help online, she found HEAT through the Atlanta Gas Light website. What she encountered next is exactly what donors make possible.

“The staff at HEAT treated me with kindness and compassion. They were knowledgeable, patient, and walked me through the whole process. We were already running out of time, and they were willing to accommodate us.”

With the assistance that we received from Heat, the Hahn family was able to schedule reconnection of their gas service and bring their account back into good standing, restoring warmth, safety, and stability in their home.

“I feel relieved. It’s been a rough few months, and having our gas shut off was a new low. HEAT helped us get back on our feet.”

Today, the Hahns want donors to know the difference their support makes.

“I highly recommend HEAT to anyone in need. They really want to help people, without judgment.”

This family’s story is one of thousands made possible each year by donor generosity. When you give to HEAT, you do more than restore energy service, you restore dignity, stability, and hope for Georgia families who need it most.

Joseph’s Story

In April 2026, Joseph Kennedy, a 73-year-old resident of Savannah, faced one of the most challenging periods of his life. Living alone and managing a disability, Joseph experienced a sudden medical emergency that left him unable to walk. For five weeks, he required weekly orthopedic injections, each costing more than $400 in co-insurance. On his fixed income, these unexpected medical expenses quickly overwhelmed his budget.

As the bills mounted, Joseph fell behind on his gas payments. In the middle of the cold season, his service was disconnected. Without heat or hot water, and unable to move without pain, even basic daily tasks became nearly impossible.

A friend encouraged him to seek help. During a LIHEAP appointment, Joseph shared his situation with an intake worker who refused to let him leave without a solution. That act of compassion led him to HEAT, and to our staff whose dedication is made possible by donor support.

“Heat’s staff worked with me the entire weekend. Their manager stayed in constant communication, guided me through every step, and submitted a pledge to the gas company. Within one day, my gas was restored.”

After four long weeks without hot water, Joseph finally took a warm bath in his own home, no longer needing to rely on relatives or struggle with travel while disabled.

Receiving assistance brought more than comfort. It brought hope.

“I have never received help from anyone. I was always the one helping others. HEAT made me feel encouraged and relieved. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that there were tools to help me get through this.”

With his gas reconnected, Joseph could redirect his limited income toward groceries, prescription medications, and essential household needs, expenses he would have struggled to meet without HEAT’s support.

He wants donors to know the difference their generosity makes.

“HEAT is an important program that keeps people safe and warm during hard times. Without this help, many would have to choose between paying utility bills and buying food or medicine. HEAT gives peace of mind when it’s needed most.”

Joseph’s story is one of thousands made possible each year by donor compassion. When you give to HEAT, you restore more than energy service, you restore dignity, stability, and wellbeing for Georgia’s most vulnerable neighbors.

Julie’s Story

In May 2026, Julie McCormick of Macon found herself facing an unexpected crisis. At 50 years old, Julie had always worked steadily, until a budget shortfall at her organization led to sudden layoffs. Overnight, she lost her job and the income she relied on to meet basic needs, including her gas bill.

Unsure where to turn, Julie searched online and found information about hardship support on the Constellation website. That search led her to HEAT, a program she had never heard of before.

From the moment she reached out, Julie felt something she hadn’t felt in weeks: kindness.

“I left a message and was called back quickly. The person who helped me was so kind and gave clear, simple instructions. I never felt ashamed or judged, and that meant everything during such a difficult time.”

When Julie learned she had been approved for assistance, the relief was immediate and profound.

“The approval of her request for energy assistance lifted so much stress out of her life. Losing my utilities would have triggered a cascade of issues. This support allowed me to take a deep breath and focus on stabilizing myself.”

With HEAT’s help, Julie kept her gas service connected, preventing a crisis that could have affected every part of his life. The assistance also gave her the breathing room she needed to secure new income and continue paying for essentials like food and other bills.

Julie wants donors to know the difference their generosity makes.

“HEAT is committed to helping people in need. They employ kind, careful, professional people who truly care. Your support is a blessing, and I thank God for this program.”

Julie’s story is one of many made possible by donor compassion. When you give to HEAT, you do more than prevent a utility shutoff, you restore stability, dignity, and hope for Georgians navigating hardship through no fault of their own.

Marilyn and Charles Story

For more than two decades, Marilyn and Charles Benton, longtime residents of Augusta, have built a life grounded in love, resilience, and service to their community. Their journey has not been easy. Nearly 30 years ago, Charles’ work exposed him to harmful paint vapors, leading to severe bone deterioration and COPD. Today, he cannot lift more than five pounds, experiences hand tremors, and has undergone multiple epidurals to manage chronic pain.

Marilyn describes Charles as her soul mate. Each morning, she helps him with his inhaler and carefully manages his schedule of four medications. Even as his condition forced him to stop working as a handyman, Charles still found ways to support Marilyn—occasionally driving her to her two part-time secretarial jobs at construction companies when she asked. But when those two local builders closed, Marilyn’s work ended abruptly, leaving the Bentons with no income at the worst possible time. Consequently, they fell behind on their bills and struggled to purchase food and medicine.

Winter arrived. Their heat was disconnected. And cold air makes Charles’ breathing significantly worse.

That’s when their gas company told them about HEAT’s emergency assistance available to low- and moderate-income individuals and families experiencing a financial crisis.

Marilyn recalls how the staff at their local community action agency “went the extra mile” to guide them through the application process for heating assistance. Thanks to HEAT’s donors, the Bentons qualified for the emergency energy assistance funds needed to restore heat to their home—bringing safety, comfort, and relief during one of the hardest seasons of their lives.

To HEAT’s donors, Marilyn and Charles share a message from their heart:

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’re the reason people across our state have heat in their hour of need, and you’ll truly be blessed for what you do for others.”

“Because of your kindness and generosity, I can breathe easier. Thank you very much for helping families like ours when we had nowhere else to turn for assistance.”

Today, Charles is preparing for major surgery through the Veterans Administration, hoping for reduced pain. When he is able, he finds peace fishing at a quiet nearby lake. Marilyn tends her backyard garden and continues her tradition of giving back—volunteering at the local food pantry and donating her hair to Locks of Love as an ovarian cancer survivor.

This family’s story is one of thousands made possible each year by donor generosity. When you give to HEAT, you do more than restore energy service—you restore dignity, stability, and hope for Georgia families who need it most.

Joseph and Mary Pearson Story

For two seventy-five-year-olds, Mr. and Mrs. Pearson, warmth has always meant more than temperature. It has meant safety, comfort, and the reassurance that—no matter how hard life becomes, their home remains a place of peace and safety.

A lifelong Atlantan, Mr. Pearson spent decades building things with his hands. Carpentry wasn’t just his profession; it was his joy, discovered at ten years old. Joseph proudly carried his love for carpentry into adulthood and made it his career. But when congestive heart failure struck, everything changed. Hospital visits every two weeks. A month in cardiac critical care. The quiet fear that comes when the strongest person you know suddenly needs help with even the smallest tasks.

At home, Mrs. Pearson became his constant guardian, measuring every ounce of water, watching every grain of sodium, listening for every shift in his breathing. Their daughters and friends helped when they could, and in-home care provided weekly medical support. But the weight of caregiving rested mostly on her shoulders, day after day, night after night.

And like so many seniors living on fixed Social Security income, the Pearsons were already stretched thin. A medical crisis was overwhelming enough. The heating bill they couldn’t afford was simply too much.

That’s when a friend told Mrs. Pearson about HEAT. She remembers the moment she reached out—exhausted, worried, and unsure what to expect. What she found was compassion. A Heat staff member who listened and cared. Someone who understood that she was applying for help while her husband was fighting for his life in critical care. Mrs. Pearson found at Heat people who made her feel seen.

Because of Heat donors, the Pearsons’ home stayed warm when they could not afford to pay their heating bill, food, and medicine. Because of donors, like you, they had one less fear to carry. Because of Heat donors, Mr. Pearson could rest, heal, and find comfort again in prayer, reading, and painting—small joys that mean everything when life has narrowed to the essentials.

Mr. and Mrs. Pearson want to share their message with every HEAT donor: “When my heart was at its weakest, your kindness helped keep our home strong. Knowing we could stay warm gave me one less battle to fight. Thank you very much for giving us comfort when we needed it most.”

Today, his health is improving. Their home is stable. And their gratitude is deep.

This family’s story is one of thousands made possible each year by donor generosity. When you give to HEAT, you do more than restore energy service—you restore dignity, stability, and hope for Georgia families who need it most.