Central Vermont Public Service today appealed for donations to CVPS Shareheat, saying matching funds remain available for the low-income emergency fuel assistance program, but donations are lagging.
“The economy has taken a toll on donations, no doubt about it,” CVPS spokesman Steve Costello said. “Thanks to our Shareheat business partners and shareholders, we still have $68,000 available to match contributions from the public, but those donations are coming in at a trickle.”
CVPS Shareheat began the winter campaign with $100,000 from CVPS shareholders and received more than $50,000 from a roster of business partners for the matching pool.
“Since the program began in 1987, donations have leveraged every dollar of matching funds available,” Costello said. “We hope that will be true this year too, but we have a long way to go.”
The roster of Shareheat Business Partners includes Carris Reels, Chittenden Bank, Omya, Passumpsic Savings Bank, Weidman Electrical Technology, Vermont Country Store and Vermont Electric Power Company. Chittenden Bank, the largest Shareheat Partner, contributed $12,500 to Shareheat this year in collaboration with Vermont Public Radio. The bank made a donation to the program for every contribution VPR received during its fall membership drive.
Shareheat funds go directly to the five community action agencies within the CVPS service territory. Each donation is directed back to the donor’s community, so their contribution helps their neighbors. Matching dollars are applied on a first-come, first-served basis.
CVPS Shareheat is a program of last resort for over 1,000 Vermont families each year. Funds are available to assist people who face heating emergencies, often because they never expected to need assistance, lost a job, or have exhausted all other available assistance.
Contributions should be made payable to the CVPS Shareheat Fund. Donations may be mailed with a CVPS payment, or sent separately to CVPS Shareheat, 77 Grove St., Rutland, VT 05701.
Source: CVPS. 2.23.2010
CVPS appeals for Shareheat donors
Submitted by tim
on