United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s board of directors has made a special distribution of over $16,000 to local emergency heating assistance funds, and is encouraging others to donate as well. The United Way dollars are in addition to its regular annual contributions to several of the agencies that run emergency programs.

United Way is distributing funds to: The Community Energy Fund of Lincoln County, CHIP, Boothbay Region Community Resources, Midcoast Maine Community Action, Warm Thy Neighbor, Salvation Army of Bath/Brunswick, Fuel for Friends at MMCA, and the town of Richmond. The special funding comes in part from reserves and in part from a bequest.

“The need is so great,” said United Way Board Chairman Dennis Unger, Director of University College at Bath/Brunswick. “One local emergency fund received more calls for assistance in the first week they were open than in all of last year. People are cold, and they can’t afford to get warm. Too many of our neighbors are in trouble, and need our help.”

“It’s just awful,” said Pauline Hanson, coordinator of the Warm Thy Neighbor fuel fund at Tedford Housing. “Most of the people I see are elderly, and are so thin, frail, and cold. Others are hardworking families — their jobs just don’t pay enough to cover the cost of winter fuel as well as other necessities. Some families are sleeping all in one room, in clothes as well as blankets, to try to save heat and money. Young mothers have broken down and cried when I’ve been able to get them emergency fuel — they’ve been so afraid their children will get sick.”

“All of these funds need more donations,” said Unger. “Anyone who would like to help can give directly to these funds, or to the statewide Keep ME Warm fund, started by United Ways of Maine and Maine Community Action Agencies. That website is www.keepmewarm.org, and if you wish you can designate a county to receive your donation.”

Unger thanked WCSH/WLBZ for their recent Project Heat Telethon, Dead River Company, and the John T. Gorman Foundation for their significant support of this year’s Keep ME Warm Campaign. United Way of Mid Coast Maine has already distributed its share of early Keep ME Warm donations to the local programs listed above and to two funds in Knox County, and expects to distribute more as people donate.

“Anyone in need of emergency fuel assistance should call 2-1-1,” said Unger. “This is a free and confidential call, and the trained person answering the phone can let you know if and where assistance is available.”