Wake to Kick Off Winter Community Programs

10/8/2007

The weather is not yet frightful, but Wake County Human Services’ Office of Community Affairs is heating up its seasonal winter programs during the month of October.

Warmth for Wake, a seasonal energy assistance outreach program, officially begins its 30th year of providing emergency heat utility assistance to low-income residents on October 31. The program is co-sponsored by the Wake County Office of Community Affairs and the North Carolina Bankers Association, and funded entirely through voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses and civic organizations.

Donations to the Warmth for Wake program can be made at any branch of any bank in Wake County, and 100 percent of the proceeds go directly to heating the homes of our elderly and disabled neighbors.

Warmth for Wake’s wood delivery initiative provides free firewood to low-income residents who use woods stoves or fireplaces to heat their homes. Volunteers are always needed for this program that operates on alternating Saturdays from November through March.

In addition, sponsorship applications are being accepted for the annual Holiday Cheer program. Holiday Cheer provides community donors with an opportunity to sponsor local children and seniors who are in need during the holiday season. Last year more than 250 individuals and organizations brightened the holidays of 2,313 children and 202 senior citizens.

Eligible families are selected on the basis of need, and then matched with their community sponsor. At that time, sponsors have the opportunity to contact their Holiday Cheer family and arrange for a mutually convenient time and place to make a gift delivery.

If you, or your faith or business organization would like to learn more about Warmth for Wake or Holiday Cheer, please contact the Wake County Human Services Office of Community Affairs at 919-212-7083.

Note: In lieu of sponsoring a specific household for Holiday Cheer, financial contributions may be made.

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