VSECU Helps Shareheat Keep Vermonters Warm This Winter

802/800 371-5162

VSECU Helps Shareheat Keep Vermonters Warm This Winter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 23, 2008

The appeal for emergency fuel assistance is more urgent than ever this winter as the price for heating fuel rises. Vermonters who would normally be able to pay for their home heating fuel are finding it more difficult to meet their needs, and low-income Vermonters are facing real crisis.

To help these families in need, VSECU recently presented a check for $7,500 to Shareheat, a Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) program, which has provided emergency home heating assistance to residents within the CVPS service area for more than 20 years. VSECU has joined the new Shareheat Business Partnership to add more funding to Shareheat’s matching dollar incentive program where donations from businesses, organizations and individuals are matched dollar-for-dollar.

CVPS shareholders have pledged $60,000 to the matching dollar incentive program. VSECU and the other Shareheat business partners, The Vermont Country Store, Omya, Weidmann, VELCO and an anonymous donor, have added pledges totaling $37,000, bringing the grand total to $97,000 in matching funds.

“We are excited to be a part of Shareheat’s matching dollar program,” said Terry Field, VSECU’s finance officer and manager of the credit union’s VHeat fuel program. “This is a very tough time for all Vermonters in terms of experiencing higher fuel costs, and the VSECU Board of Directors is pleased to be a part of this program. We hope our contribution will encourage others to give what they can, especially when they understand that through this program their donated dollars will double.”

“We appreciate VSECU’s enthusiastic support of the Shareheat Business Partnership, and we are seeing a strong, early response from donors to the increase in available matching funds,” said Ann Warrell, Shareheat coordinator. “People can feel good about donating to Shareheat, because there are no overhead costs. Every penny of their donation will go directly to help someone keep warm in their community.”

Funds for Shareheat are raised from the general public and matched dollar-for-dollar by CVPS shareholders and its business partners up to $97,000. These funds are distributed through the five community action agencies that operate in CVPS’s service territory, which covers two-thirds of Vermont. To make your donation, make your check payable to CVPS Shareheat and mail it to 77 Grove Street, Rutland, Vt. 05701. To find out more about receiving emergency fuel assistance, call your local community action agency.

VSECU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative providing affordable financial products and services to Vermonters around the state. For more information on VSECU and how to join the credit union, visit www.vsecu.com or call 802/800 371-5162.