With the price of all home heating fuels at record high levels, York County Community Action Corporation, a non-profit organization based in Sanford but with program offices located throughout the county, has seen a significant increase in the number of residents applying for heating fuel assistance.
“We’ve already taken more applications (for heating assistance) in the past six months than we did in our entire 2006 – 2007 operating year,” said Barbara Lizotte, YCCAC Energy Services Coordinator. “And we’re not finished yet. Our program runs to the end of April. We’ve still got three months to go.”
In early November, as outdoor temperatures made an early dip into the teens, and as the price of home heating fuels—not just oil, but propane, K-1 kerosene, and even wood—began to climb, YCCAC reached out to the community for help. Financial donations to help low-income residents pay their heating bills were actively sought, and many individuals and families, businesses, agencies, and charitable organizations heard the call.
“It was an extraordinary effort,” said Brad Bohon, Communications Director for YCCAC, who was also a member of the agency’s emergency energy task force, which was formed in November to address the urgent situation. “We added a link to our website, so that donations could be made on-line. Flyers were sent out in the mail—nearly 1000 in all. Posters were put up in town halls and businesses, hospitals and libraries, and notices about our fund-raising campaign were run on public cable channels and in the weekly town newspapers.”
Bohon said the response was “remarkable, but not really surprising.”
“Our Foundation Board felt that this would be a great way to get help to people in the community who really need help, said Heather Harris, AVP, Community Relations. “As the temperatures dropped in December, we were looking for a way to help alleviate some suffering, and consequently contributed $20,100 from our Huntington Common Charitable Fund for Seniors of the Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation.
That the number of applicants for energy assistance has risen so dramatically in such a short time should surprise no one; energy in all forms has been steadily increasing in value for some time, and this year, for the first time ever, home heating oil—which an estimated 80% of Maine homes use—breached the three dollar per gallon ceiling. “And yet even with all the donations received to date,” Bohon said, “including substantial contributions from the United Way of York County and Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation’s Huntington Common Charitable Fund, we have many, many clients who still need help.”
Donations in any amount are welcome, and are still sought. Bohon said that all monies collected for the Energy Services program to help pay heating bills are going directly to that end—there is no overhead or administrative cost. “We know that when people donate to a cause, they want their money used for that purpose. And that’s what we’re doing with these funds. Every dollar donated goes to help someone stay warm this winter.”
Community leaders came together to help York County residents keep their homes heated this winter. Among those who joined the effort were, from left: Heather Harris, AVP, Community Relations at Kennebunk Savings Bank; Deborah Downs, Community Outreach Director, YCCAC; Barbara Crider, Deputy Director, YCCAC; and Kathryn Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of York County.
York County Community Action Corporation is a private non-profit organization serving York County residents since 1967. The mission of the agency is to help York County’s low income citizens minimize the effects of poverty, attack its underlying causes, and to promote dignity and self-sufficiency through several charitable programs including: Head Start, Women, Infants Children (WIC), York County Community Health Care (providing medical, dental, and mental health care services), Community Outreach, Transportation, Energy Services and Housing and Economic Development. For more information, please call Brad Bohon, Communications Director, at 324-5762 Ext. 2954.
The Huntington Common Charitable Fund for Seniors of the Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation provides funding to programs that benefit seniors (ages 65 and older) throughout York County which helps them to lead more complete and fulfilled lives. In 2007, Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation gave $100,000 through the Fund, in addition to contributing over $600,000 to York County nonprofits through the Bank’s Community Investment Program. Grant applications are currently being accepted through the website at www.kennebunksavings.com for 2008.
For more information contact:
Heather Harris
Community Relations Officer
Kennebunk Savings Bank
1-800-339-6573
