Woman's Club, schools raise money for fuel

Westborough - It's time to "Keep the Heat On" and thanks to the Westborough Woman's Club and children at Westborough's Mill Pond Intermediate and Fales Elementary schools, the local fuel assistance program will be able to help residents in need do just that.

The "Keep the Heat On" partnership between the club and the schools is designed to have young, old and everyone in between collect and make donations for the town fuel assistance program, said Judith Wilchynski, president of the Westborough Woman's Club.

Each school has coin collection jars that will be available through Monday Dec. 15. Donations may also be made at the Glass Heron shop on the Rotary through January 2009 and checks payable to the Friends of the Senior Center can be mailed throughout the year to the Westborough Senior Center, P.O. Box 1072, Westborough, MA 01581.

"I think this is a great way to reach across the many ages of community members to assist those individuals and families in need this year," Wilchynski said. "There is a constant need for assistance at any [time of] year, but especially in the coming months. This allows the school children to participate in this season of giving."

The Westborough Woman's Club looks at community needs and how its members can raise money to "make the most impact," Wilchynski said.

Although the donations go to the Friends of the Senior Center, she said, the fuel assistance program is not limited by age.

"Anyone can apply for help for fuel assistance. It isn't just for senior citizens," Wilchynski said. "Nobody in this town should have their heat shut off ."

Those who need fuel assistance can contact Alma Demanche, director of the Council on Aging and the Senior Center.

The Woman's Club will also make its own donation to the program, she said.

For more information, call Wilchynski at 508-870-1895.