Operation Fuel is running a limited program for households that are in financial crisis and face losing their electricity or gas service now that the state utilities’ Winter Protection program ended on May 1.

Households must meet certain eligibility criteria and not have received energy assistance from Operation Fuel this fiscal year. Operation Fuel began taking applications from qualified households on April 29 and will continue through June 30 or until funds run out. The maximum annual grant is $500 per household.

Operation Fuel stopped taking applications for winter energy assistance on March 15 when the need for energy assistance had exceeded the program’s funds. At that time, Executive Director Patricia Wrice had said Operation Fuel would resume accepting applications on April 29 for a limited spring program.

Operation Fuel has given out more than $2.5 million in winter energy while giving out about $500,000 this past summer for a total of more than $3 million since July 1, 2012.

 

Operation Fuel has raised more than $30,000 from its fourth annual Burn Calories for Fuel 5K and 10K, which was held recently at the Metropolitan Learning Center in Bloomfield.  The proceeds from the run will be used for emergency energy assistance for Connecticut families and the elderly.

 

Operation Fuel is excited to announce our fundraising partnership with the 2013 Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program!

 

The Birdies for Charity program  provides Operation Fuel the opportunity to raise funds by collecting pledges based on the number of birdies made by PGA TOUR professionals during tournament week. At the conclusion of the tournament, the Travelers Championship will calculate the number of birdies made by the pledged amounts, and then will distribute invoices to each of our donors.

For example, if an individual makes a $.02 pledge and there are 1,500 birdies made, then that individual will be asked to make a donation of $30.00 to Operation Fuel.

 

 

The Travelers Championship will donate 100% of the proceeds to Operation Fuel.

 

You can win too! 

Birdies for Charity has added even better prizes to the Guess the Birdies contest.

Donors can guess the number of birdies that will be made Wednesday – Sunday of the 2013 Travelers Championship.

The donor that correctly guesses the number of birdies will win a $1,000 Cash Gift Card provided by CT Association of Nonprofits. Other prizes include 2 tickets to the World Golf Hall of Fame and IMAX Theatre, 2 tickets to the Ryder Cup, and a foursome at TPC River Highlands.

 

Join us in this exciting fundraising initiative!

Making a per birdie pledge or flat rate donation is simple and easy, just log onto our Birdies for Charity pledge site below

Operation Birdies for Charity Pledge Site

 

Your pledge commitment to Operation Fuel will help to provide energy assistance for Connecticut’s most vulnerable families and the elderly. 

State Senator Robert Duff, who chairs the senate’s energy and technology committee, will discuss the increased need for energy assistance in the 25^th senatorial district, which includes Darien and Norwalk. To date in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, Operation Fuel has provided energy assistance grants to 112 households in Darien and Norwalk.

As a result of the increasing need in Darien for energy assistance, the Darien Social Services department will become an Operation Fuel partner fuel bank in the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

Thursday’s attendees will include State Rep. Terrie Wood of the 141st district, Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, Brenda Watson, Operation Fuel’s director of community programs, and Lynn McDonald, Operation Fuel’s director of development.

 

Where:      The Darien Social Services Department

2 Renshaw Road

Darien, Conn.

 

When: Thursday, April 11,at 9:30 a.m.

 

Media contact:  Karen Paterno, 860-648-2264 (office)