21090 Dodge:GNEF newsletterFINAL 11/16/10 2:33 PM Page 1

2010-2011 The GOOD NEIGHBOR ENERGY FUND GIVE THE GIFT OF WARMTH

26th Annual Kick-Off Launches List of GNEF Sponsors 2010-2011GNEF Campaign Ashburnham Municipal Light Atlas Glen-mor Anticipating another year of helping thousands of Jeanne Cherry, Belmont Municipal Light families in need of energy assistance across the 2010-11 Fund Berkshire Gas Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Chairperson and Braintree Electric Light Dept. Energy Fund held its annual Lead Energy Columbia Gas of Massachusetts breakfast on November Efficiency Programs Concord Municipal Light Plant 18th, 2010 to kick-off the Administrator for New 2010-11 “Give the Gift of England Gas Company, Groton Electric Light Warmth” campaign. added, “Let’s all work together to top this year’s Holyoke Gas & Electric fundraising goal of $650,000 and warm Littleton Electric Light The Salvation Army’s Major all our neighbors in temporary crisis.” Mansfield Municipal Electric William Bode and Jim Massachusetts Oilheat Council Sweeney, Director of Although many of the Fund’s Middleborough Gas & Electric Operations for energy sponsors provide a NSTAR Jim Sweeney, Gas Company, welcomed donation or matching contri- National Grid Director of Operations, the attendees and empha- bution at various points New England Gas sized the important role the New England Gas Company Company throughout the year, seven Fund plays each year for sponsors presented their con- North Attleborough Electric Dept. those in need across the state. "Of course, with the tributions towards the end of Reading Municipal Light struggling economy in mind, the campaign once the kick-off event. “Consider- Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant again faces some major challenges this year,” said ing the struggling economy Unitil/Fitchburg Gas & Electric Sweeney. “But the past success of the Fund gives that we’re all enduring, these Major William Bode, Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light me every confidence that we’ll continue to make a early contributions are difference in the lives of families in need of energy Divisional Commander, Wellesley Municipal Light Plant extremely important as they The Salvation Army Electric assistance across the state.” He went on to thank help the Fund assist eligible Westfield Gas & Electric all the participating energy companies, The families as soon as possible,” said Major Bode. Salvation Army which administers the Fund and, of course, the residents of Massachusetts for their support of the Fund over the years.

The kick-off also featured Fund Facts Frank Gorke, Division Director of Energy • The MA Good Neighbor Energy Fund is available to any Massachusetts resident who, Efficiency with the because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a month's energy expense and is not Massachusetts eligible for state or federal energy assistance. Department of Energy Resources, who spoke • Last year, the MA Good Neighbor Energy Fund helped more than 1,475 families pay an electric, about the impact the gas or oil bill. Division’s various programs are having throughout the Frank Gorke, • Since 1985, the Fund has raised more than $16.9 million and assisted over 76,500 needy families. state. Joining Gorke on the Division Director of speaking program was Mike Energy Efficiency, • To qualify for assistance from the MA Good Neighbor Energy Fund, an applicant’s gross Wankum, a Meteorologist MA Dept. of Energy household income must fall between 60 and 80 percent of the state’s median income levels. with WCVB-TV5 in , Resources who gave the attendees his predictions on what kind • This year’s maximum Fund disbursement is $300 per eligible household per heating season. of weather to expect this winter season and the pos- sible impact that might have on the “urgency of need.” • Sponsoring gas, electric and oil companies support their respective customers' generosity through various giving programs. 21090 Dodge:GNEF newsletterFINAL 11/16/10 2:33 PM Page 2

GNEF Sets Goal to Meet Give the G Totaling WARMTHift of Anticipated Need Up Those Massachusetts residents’ support crisis also Envelope of their neighbors in need was request assis- evident during last year’s campaign tance with their Donations! as hundreds of thousands of dollars energy bills The Good Neighbor Energy Fund Committee members were raised to assist more than even when the gathered three times last February and March to help 1,475 families. weather warms The Salvation Army count and process energy customer Considering the struggling economy up. The need is donations received via the Fund’s green-colored donation and high unemployment rate, the year-round, as is envelopes. After burning up several calculators, represen- Fund’s goal for 2010-11 is $650,000. It the Massachusetts tatives from a dozen energy sponsors and The Salvation is anticipated that the money raised Good Neighbor Army processed more than $147,000 from 4,562 donors. Thank you volunteers! will help more than 2,000 Massachu- Energy Fund. setts families this winter season. If you know of some- The Salvation Army, which adminis- one who is in need, ters the Fund, is already beginning please have them visit one GNEF Announces 2010 Awards to see a rise in the number of phone of the 36 local Salvation Army The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is proud to calls from families in need. In fact, offices throughout the state. For announce that the fourth annual recipient of the Lt. Colonel the Fund expects to receive approx- more information, call: Fred Van Brunt Good Neighbor Award is Rockland Trust. imately 5,000 requests for aid this Named in honor of winter alone. Western Massachusetts the retired Divisional Please look for your green Good 1-800-262-1320 Commander of The Neighbor donation envelope provided (Serving Area Code 413) Salvation Army who was a strong advo- with your utility bill or take advantage Eastern Massachusetts of some companies’ "add a dollar" cate for the Fund, 1-800-334-3047 program whereby customers are Rockland Trust is (Serving Area Codes 508, 617, asked to overpay their utility bills by recognized for its 781 & 978) one dollar or more. community leader- ship and giving spirit. And the need doesn't end with the You may also visit The bank organized cold weather. Families in temporary www.magoodneighbor.org a “Warm for the Winter” drive held in its 71 branches Above (left to right:) Wil Leslie, during the month of Service Extension Director at The Give The Gift of Warmth December 2009. Salvation Army, and Melissa Brastow, A letter received by The Salvation Army Rockland Trust sold GNEF Committee Member and paper mittens for $1, Customer Service Representative at North $3 and $5 with all Attleborough Electric Department, accept a check for $7,000 from Bill Matteson, – no wel- proceeds benefiting Senior Vice President at Rockland Trust. assistance the Fund. Sir, no state very Dear receives I’m always four who housing. and have The third annual GNEF Chairman's Award recipient is Kate Agin, mother no public I am a single and as a receptionist has chronic Community Outreach Representative with Western Mass- food stamps, job son who achusetts Electric. For more than a decade, Agin has consistently fare, no at a full-time my I work – especially medication. showed her dedication and support of the Fund as GNEF busy as care of to to take expensive as I had Committee Chairperson and as an active committee member. children requiring crowded health problems even more teenagers became as several real strain as well it put a my apartment children of, “heat Recently, and her surprisingly, Don't Qualify for sister to go. Not the question take in my place facing no other constantly GNEF Assistance? who had and I was I my budget where For those who are not eligible for assistance through on if they knew I was eat.” friend point that the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, Energy Bucks might be or asked a at that and It was they helped a place to turn. Energy Bucks is an initiative sponsored desperate counseling. and very at The Army Good Neighbor by the non-profit organiza- I was some financial the get social workers through tion LEAN (Low-Income could to the assistance introduced receive Energy Affordability for and with Network) to help low and me apply overflows Fund. my heart will moderate-income families Energy Fund, My family with the how I feel. in Massachusetts save up to 30 percent on their energy associated to explain bills by participating in fuel assistance, discount rates To everyone no words There are and energy efficiency programs. thanks. grateful. be forever For more information on the program or how to apply, visit www.energybucks.com or call 866-537-7267 today.