In Flagler County, Florida, nonprofit Flagler Cares is seeking donations through its "Keep the Holiday Lights On" campaign, saying $100 can help one household keep utility service on through December.
In its third annual drive, the nonprofit aims to meet that need as nearly half of county households struggle with basic expenses.
The fundraiser seeks 100 household sponsors at $100 apiece, with the money meant to help families keep utilities on during December, according to FlaglerLive.
People can give whatever they choose, and the donation window runs through Dec. 31.
The campaign comes as 44% of households in Flagler County fall under the ALICE threshold, according to United For ALICE's 2024 data.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and Flagler Cares describes it as United For ALICE's measure for households in poverty or employed residents who still can't cover the basics.
Flagler Cares noted that a surprise bill or a utility cost increase can quickly create a crisis for those families.
Supporters can follow the campaign online, where each sponsored home will light up as the total moves toward 100 households.
The effort aims to prevent December disconnections of electric or water service.
ALICE households can include working households, not only families counted in official poverty figures.
Starting Dec. 1, households facing financial hardship can seek assistance through the donation webpage.
Staff will review requests for financial need and described hardship, and help will go out in the order applications arrive.
Residents can sponsor homes at www.FlaglerCares.org/holiday, which accepts donations of any size through Dec. 31. Those who don't want to give online can instead mail or hand-deliver checks to Flagler Cares.
Flagler Cares said it will also refer applicants to its Partnered for Success Program and other resources it deems appropriate.
Through Partnered for Success, participants work with a coordinator to set goals, remove barriers, and connect with services that support financial and health stability, according to Flagler Cares.
"This campaign is about more than paying a utility bill — it's about giving our neighbors breathing room during a time of year when no one should have to worry about keeping the lights on," said Carrie Baird, Chief Executive Officer of Flagler Cares. "We know our community cares deeply for one another, and this is a meaningful way to turn that compassion into action."
These stories explore other ways communities and households are managing utility costs and keeping the power on.
• In Illinois, lawmakers proposed rebates for middle-class families struggling to cover utility bills.
• In Ohio, House members advanced a community solar pilot aimed at lowering residents' utility costs.
• In Florida, the Myrtlebrook community built a sun-powered microgrid to keep power flowing during outages.
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