In my work as a nurse for the Springfield Area Parent Child Center, I visit families with young children in the Windham County area. Many of these families demonstrate severe financial hardships and/or health needs, and I am challenged daily to help them in any way that I can, even though the primary focus of my home visiting is the health and well-being of the newborn baby and the children.
Within the past month, I found myself contacting Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) for emergency fuel assistance for two families who, for different reasons, could not afford to pay for their heating fuel.
One family was attempting to heat with stove-top burners, and one was simply existing without heat. Both families included a baby younger than 1 year of age. SEVCA was eager to help; however, the agency's funds were depleted and a contact person referred me to the Windham County Heat Fund in Brattleboro.
I was initially reluctant to contact the Heat Fund, as I thought it would be yet another dead end or a place that would limit help to those who were in the immediate Brattleboro area. My clients were in outlying areas of Windham County.
I was surprised when I received a return phone call from the Heat Fund representative, who assured me that the families with whom I was working would receive fuel fill-ups within 48 hours. I was, quite frankly, more than surprised. I was amazed and somewhat disbelieving.
Within 24 hours, both families received the necessary fuel, and I found myself calling to thank the Heat Fund representative, as well as writing to them to express the overwhelming thanks of both families.
The Heat Fund is now depleted, and the hope is that, with donations from folks in the Windham County community, the emergency fuel deliveries can continue throughout this heating season.
If any readers are feeling the spirit of giving during this holiday season, please consider donating to the Windham County Heat Fund, so that your neighbors, whose needs may be quite different from yours, may have the gift of warmth this winter.
Send donations to Windham County Heat Fund, c/o Richard Davis, 679 Weatherhead Hollow Rd., Guilford, VT 05301.