BRATTLEBORO — We would like to recognize the generosity of our community on behalf of our more vulnerable friends and neighbors as we head into another heating season. It will be a difficult winter, not only because of weather conditions but also because of the difficult political climate in Washington.
The Windham County Heat Find helps those who are either not eligible for current fuel assistance programs or who run out of their assistance allotments.
Allotments this year have been much lower than in the past, and we have had to supplement those allotments because the federal checks have not allowed people to receive a minimum delivery of fuel.
We are all blessed to live in a community where generous individuals, businesses and foundations are able to provide for the more needy among us. This year, to date, we raised approximately $30,000 and have given out all of that in fuel.
The Heat Fund has no overhead, and the two people who run it take no compensation. We do vet applications through our collaboration with Southeast Vermont Community Action (SEVCA), and that helps keep the process as honest as possible. We have started to use our own application form this year.
Over the Heat Fund's seven years, we have hoped that the need would decrease, but it has only increased.
A special thank you to the Thomas Thompson Trust, WKVT, WTSA, The Commons, St. Michael's Episcopal Church Women, Bob and Booie Fagelson, Entergy, Rick Fleming, Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary, and the front-line people at the local fuel dealers.
Thank you for your generosity and continued support.