PP&L, Inc.'s Operation HELP fund, which provides emergency financial assistance to families unable to pay their energy bills, received record donations of nearly $382,000 from the general public and PP&L employees in 1997.

"We're truly gratified by the response to Operation HELP," said Tim Dahl, who administers the program for PP&L. "Donations from the public and PP&L employees have increased by nearly 14 percent since 1995."

The public response to PP&L's recent Operation HELP campaign was tremendous, he added. More than 3,900 customers became new monthly contributors by agreeing to add $1, $2 or $5 to their monthly PP&L bill. Others made a one-time contribution to the fund.

Operation HELP is one of the oldest utility fuel funds. PP&L started the program in 1983 as a way to provide emergency financial aid to families facing hardships such as unemployment, disability or medical emergency.

PP&L provides Operation HELP funds to 16 local administering agencies across eastern and central Pennsylvania. The money can be used to pay any type of heating bill: electric, natural gas, oil or coal. The local agencies handle all requests for assistance.

Since its founding, Operation HELP has raised $7.8 million and provided assistance to nearly 35,000 needy families in the region. In addition to public and employee support, Operation HELP receives corporate contributions from PP&L.

Operation HELP is one of several outreach programs PP&L has to assist customers in need.