FARMINGTON – Rebecca Ryder, FCHN president, has announced that Franklin Community Health Network has established a fuel fund for employees who may require assistance with heating costs this winter.

The fund is administered by the Western Maine Community Action Fuel Assistance Program which provides direct payments to fuel vendors on behalf of income-eligible households for electricity, oil, kerosene, LP gas, coal, wood and wood pellets. To access the fund, FCHN employees must meet WMCA’s guidelines for assistance.

FCHN launched the fund by providing $1,500 in seed money. In addition to the seed money, the organization will then provide a three-to-one match for any additional contributions made by FCHN employees, volunteers or FCHN and affiliate board members.

“For example, on Nov. 30 I wrote a personal check for $300 made out to FCHN earmarked for the fuel assistance fund,” said Ryder. “FCHN will provide a $900 match to my contribution for a total of $1,200 that will be added to the fund. I invite others to join me in this effort.”

“FCHN employees and volunteers are very philanthropic. I have already received many positive comments about the establishment of this fuel assistance fund and in just a few weeks the fund has grown to $6,000,” said Ryder. “In addition to this, our employees recently gave more than $34,000 to United Way and $19,000 to our own annual appeal campaign.”

Contributions may be sent to Tom Hagerstrom in the development office and should be made out to FCHN, earmarked for the employee fuel assistance fund. Contributions can also be made online at www.fchn.org/donate; check the box next to “employee fuel assistance fund.” All gifts are tax deductible.

For more information or to see if one qualifies for fuel assistance, contact CommunityServices@wmca.org or call 645-3764 or visit WMCA offices at 20 Church St. in Wilton.