Each winter many families struggle to keep their heat on. Last year a group of concerned individuals and organizations came together to address the rising cost of energy. Thanks to their caring and persistence, a coalition formed the Warming Hands and Hearts coalition to coordinate the efforts and consolidate the resources of government, non-profit and faith based organizations to keep the heat on for the neediest of our community members. Thanks to this initiative, the heat was kept on in one hundred and ninety-two homes with two hundred and forty-seven children in those homes.

 

The Warming Hands and Hearts Initiative makes the best use of existing dollars for heating assistance by pooling existing funds from Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), and charitable and faith-based organizations and then supplementing those dollars with donations from the Warming Hands and Hearts fund.

In addition, a case manager contacts the electric, gas, or oil company on behalf of the client to negotiate minimum payment and a payment schedule. Financial management, weatherization, and conservation information are also provided through the initiative.  However, for this initiative to be a success, we need your help.

This winter, for the third year in a row, the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle will maintain a Warming Hands and Hearts fund with no administrative fees or overhead charges. Any amount can make a big difference.  Please help by making a donation, encouraging others or by holding a fund raiser at your place of work, your church, your neighborhood association or by any other means. Checks should be made payable to United Way of the Eastern Panhandle with WH&H on the memo line. Every dollar of your contribution will be used to directly pay a heating bill for a family in crisis.

If you have any additional questions about this matter, please contact Vicki Shean at (304) 596-5529. 

Thank you in advance for your support.