| FOUNDATIONS FUEL FAMILIES
The Federal and State budget cuts to fuel assistance in 2012 mean that our communities will receive half of the dollars received last year to help people who cannot pay for heat. The funding last year was not enough to meet the needs of our citizens. This year, there are many more residents asking for assistance. Recognizing the devastating impact this will have on our neighbors, the Community Foundations in Branford, Madison, and Guilford are working together and each is spearheading fundraising efforts in its communities to address the shortfall.
The goal of “Foundations Fuel Families” is to raise private funding from within our communities to meet the funding gap for fuel assistance for those in need. To that end, each of the Community Foundations has pledged a challenge grant of up to $10,000 that would match—dollar for dollar---every dollar raised in that town. All dollars raised in a town will stay in that town.
Each of the three towns has a specific organization charged with managing fuel assistance programs. In Branford, this is the Branford Counseling Center which will receive every dollar raised to put towards their emergency fuel programming.
The kickoff date for this project is February 14. The three Foundations will be working with Shore Publishing Newspapers as our sponsor. We hope to have weekly coverage in the local paper for each community beginning with a press conference. In addition, we will use local TV (BCTV), as well as WTNH. We will be working with the community churches and civic organizations. Hopefully, our citizens will become informed of this great need in our towns and respond generously.
Donations may be sent to: Branford Community Foundation, P.O. Box 462, Branford, Ct. 06405 and earmarked “Fuel Assistance”.
Eunice Lasala
President, Branford Community Foundation
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