Fuel crisis looms as Shareheat kicks off 21st season

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Fuel crisis looms as Shareheat kicks off 21st season Four Vermont businesses partner in matching program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 26, 2007

Contact: Steve Costello (802) 747-5427 (802) 742-3062 (beeper)
am Shambo, BROC (802) 665-1721

RUTLAND, Vt. – With fuel prices at record levels and community action agencies facing a flood of requests for assistance, Central Vermont Public Service kicked off its 21st annual Shareheat Fund drive by announcing a new partnership with Vermont businesses.

“Low-income Vermonters are at risk like no time since Shareheat began,” CVPS President Bob Young said. “So for the first time, we are proud to welcome Vermont Country Store, VSECU and Omya as Shareheat business partners. These companies have pledged considerable resources to create Shareheat’s largest matching dollar incentive ever — $92,000.”

Along with $60,000 contributed by CVPS shareholders, Vermont Country Store has given $10,000, and VSECU and Omya have each contributed $7,500. Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) has also pledged $2,000, and an anonymous matching donation of $5,000 boosts the total to $92,000 for this heating season.

The business partnership was created to leverage the business community’s support, while enticing more individuals to donate to Shareheat. Approximately 1,200 businesses, individuals and organizations contribute to Shareheat annually, which in turn provides assistance to about 1,000 Vermont families each heating season.

Pam Shambo, development director at BROC community action, which serves Rutland and Bennington counties, said her office had been swamped by Vermonters overwhelmed by fuel oil and propane prices, which have jumped markedly this year.

“It’s unbelievable how many people need help with their fuel bills this year,” said Shambo, a veteran of low-income assistance. “A lot of people are already having a very difficult time this winter.”

Particularly troubling, she said, is minimum delivery requirements often in place. “If you have to buy a hundred gallons of fuel to get a delivery, for many low-income people that is out of the question,” Shambo said.

“Shareheat is successful year after year, because of its collective approach — and we’re aiming to take it to the next level this year,” said Ann Warrell, CVPS Shareheat coordinator. “We urge anyone who can to contribute today and double the impact of their donation through the Shareheat match. It’s a working example of community-based assistance that truly makes a difference.”

“We are always interested in new opportunities to give back to the communities in which our employees work and live,” said Bill Shouldice, president and CEO of The Vermont Country Store. “We recognize that rising fuel costs are stressing household budgets to the breaking point for some Vermonters, so we are pleased to help get the Shareheat business partnership off the ground.”
“Making home heating affordable has become an important mission for VSECU,” said Terry Field, VSECU’s finance officer. “With the increasing cost of fuel and the colder temperatures coming earlier this winter, we see that many Vermonters are finding it more difficult to pay for their fuel. We hope our donation to Shareheat will help them obtain the fuel they need as well as encourage others to donate to Shareheat.”
"We are pleased to partner with CVPS, their shareholders, and other great local companies to help increase the monetary reach of Shareheat this year," states Christie Harris, Omya’s communications manager. "Our collective community is really special, and we are proud to play a small part."

Every dollar that is donated to Shareheat goes directly to heating assistance through the five community action agencies operating within the CVPS service territory, which covers two-thirds of the state. 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 until all funds are exhausted.

Contributions to Shareheat should be mailed to: CVPS Shareheat Fund, 77 Grove Street, Rutland, Vt. 05701. Checks should be made payable to the CVPS Shareheat Fund, and should be written out separately from CVPS bill payments.