Shareheat reaches record amount
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Staff Report - Published: April 3, 2009
Central Vermont Public Service Corp. raised a record amount of money this winter to help Vermonters in need pay their heating bills.
The utility's ShareHeat program has so far raised more than $375,000 for the 2008-09 heating season. The previous record was less than $250,000 in one year.
Since its inception in 1987, ShareHeat has raised nearly $3.2 million.
With heating prices skyrocketing last summer, CVPS began its annual campaign with an unprecedented July kickoff with the company committing $100,000 in shareholder funds to the program. A number of businesses were recruited as partners, which donated to the matching pool to leverage customer donations.
Altogether, $182,000 was available in the Shareheat matching pool with customers donating $193,000.
"We have been able to meet tremendous needs through incredible support from customers large and small," CVPS spokesman Steve Costello said.
Carris Reels, Chittenden Bank, Merchants Bank, National Life Group, Omya, Passumpsic Savings Bank, The Vermont Country Store and Weidman Electrical Technology joined CVPS as partners in the Shareheat program this year, donating $5,000 to $20,000 each.
Other significant donors included Vermont Electric Power Co. and Hubbardton Forge.
"Without these major partners and donors, which helped leverage donations from across the state, we would never have raised so much to help those in need," Costello said.
CVPS is already looking ahead to next winter.
Businesses interested in becoming CVPS Shareheat partners may contact Ann Warrell at 747-55697.
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