BRATTLEBORO — Brattleboro Elks Lodge #1499 has once again made a donation of $3,000 to the Windham County Heat Fund.
In a news release, Cofounder Daryl Pillsbury said that the Brattleboro Elks have been a solid supporter of the Heat Fund.
“Organizations such as the Elks remind us of the generosity and sense of social responsibility that permeate our local community,” he said.
Pillsbury and Richard Davis created the Windham County Heat Fund in 2005 to help people in Windham County who were not able to buy enough heating fuel to make it through the winter. In 2010, the Heat Fund was incorporated as a nonprofit entity.
In 2005, a year when oil prices were escalating, Pillsbury and Davis thought their efforts would be needed only for a year or two. Over the years, they have observed a constant need to supplement state and federal fuel assistance programs for those who fall through the cracks and for those who run out of fuel assistance allotments.
Over the 16 years of the Heat Fund's existence, they have raised more than $500,000 from individuals, local business and foundations such as the Thomas Thompson Trust. Their fundraising goal for the current heating season is $50,000.
Donations can be made directly to the heat fund account at Brattleboro Savings & Loan or sent to Davis at 63 Cedar St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
For information about applications, or for assistance, contact Davis at 802-254-2240 or wcheatfund@comcast.net.