Residents encouraged to 'Share the Warmth'
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

Shrewsbury - The people at Shrewsbury Electric, Light and Cable (SELCO) are encouraging customers to off er a helping hand to people who are struggling to pay their electric bills this winter.

SELCO is currently collecting for its "Share the Warmth" program, which goes to pre-selected families whose income or personal situation has qualified them to receive assistance through the program.

Program Administrator Jackie Pratt said people who donate to the Share the Warmth program can be confident that their contribution is directly helping a local family in need.

"One hundred percent of all donations go back to Shrewsbury residents in need," Pratt said. "This is helping your neighbors, your friends, your community."

Although the program accepts donations year-round, Pratt said there's a real push for donations during the cold and dark winter months, when people are more likely to have difficulty paying their bills.

"It's a difficult time of year for some families and people on fixed incomes, people who have lost their jobs or have an illness to be able to pay their electric bills," she said. "There are longer dark periods, it's colder, and it's just nice for people to know that there is an option for them this time of year."

Ninety-seven families received assistance from the Share the Warmth program in 2006, and 67 families were helped in 2007. In 2006, $8,000 was donated, and 2007 saw a record $12,000 in donations.

Pratt said the amount people are able to give varies from year to year, but there's never been a winter that SELCO wasn't able to help every family in need of assistance.

"People in Shrewsbury are always very generous and willing to help," she said. "It's very local and it helps out people that you know. I mean, what are neighbors for?"

People who would like to donate to the Share the Warmth program should not include donations with their monthly bills, which are processed off site.

Instead, donations can be dropped off or mailed directly to the SELCO office in Town Hall or can be made online at www.shrewbury-ma.gov/ light.