Operation Fuel helps residents facing shutoffs

HARTFORD » Operation Fuel’s statewide network of fuel banks will start taking energy assistance applications on Wednesday, July 5, from households that are in financial crisis and are in danger of having their utility services terminated.

Individuals who need energy assistance should call 211. The annual winter moratorium, which prevents households from having their electricity and gas shut off, ended on May 1 and will not resume until Nov. 1.

“Losing electricity during the hot summer months can create serious issues, especially for young children, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. Lack of electricity means the inability to refrigerate food and medicine, cook meals and have lights and hot water, ” explained Operation Fuel’s Executive Director Karen Adamson.

Energy affordability is a year-round problem for more than 322,000 Connecticut households. Operation Fuel is Connecticut’s only statewide nonprofit energy assistance program. For the fiscal year, which ends June 30, Operation Fuel has provided over $3.3 million in energy assistance to more than 7,830 households. This includes $2.1 million in energy assistance for the 2017 winter program and $1.2 million in energy assistance last summer.

Now in its 40th year, Operation Fuel is a statewide nonprofit program that provides emergency energy assistance year-round to lower-income working families and individuals, the elderly, and disabled individuals who are in financial crisis.

For more information on Operation Fuel or to make a donation, go to www.operationfuel.org. Donations also can be sent to Operation Fuel, 75 Charter Oak Avenue, Suite 2-240, Hartford, CT. 06106.

Program can help incarcerated older adults

MIDDLETOWN » Gatekeeper, a program of St. Luke’s Community Services since 2010, in partnership with Connecticut’s Department on Aging (SDA), Department of Corrections (DOC), Department of Social Services (DSS), through funding support from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), launches the nation’s first pilot Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) for the purpose of exploring, identifying and addressing service systems challenges that incarcerated older and disabled adults experience as they transition back to the community, according to a press release.

The Gatekeeper BEC has re-opened its website for referrals www.gatekeeperct.net and will offer a series of educational events for all professionals working with this unique population on topics relevant to the experiences of incarcerated older and disabled adults as they transition back to their communities.

The first event is the 2017 Gatekeeper Northeast Regional Conference, “A Bridge to a Second Chance: Benefit Enrollment Centers for Incarcerated Older & Disabled Adults”, on Sept. 27, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Middletown Elks Lodge, 44 Maynard Street, Middletown.

The Gatekeeper BEC is a person-centered and community-based concept that is designed to provide services to older and disabled individuals in prison and as they are discharged to the community.

5K race benefits scholarship program

OLD SAYBROOK » The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (the Kate) and the Old Saybrook/Westbrook Exchange Club (the Exchange Club) are hosting the 8th annual running of The Saybrook Point 5K Road Race on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 8:30 a.m.

This race features some of the most beautiful scenery along the Connecticut River and North Cove area of Old Saybrook.

The proceeds from the race go towards arts and cultural programming for our community through the Kate.

The funds are also used to fund the Exchange Club’s ACE Scholarship Program for deserving college bound seniors at Old Saybrook and Westbrook High Schools.

This is the second year the Exchange Club and the Kate are teaming up to host the event.

Numerous sponsorship levels are available, which include a variety of benefits and visibility.

Visit http://oswexchangeclub.com/events/saybrook_ point_5k_road_race.htm for race registration details and to sign up.

For more information about sponsorships please contact development@thekate.org.

Space available for tag sale

PORTLAND » Trinity Episcopal Church, 345 Main Street Portland will hold a Tag Sale on Saturday July 22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Space is available for $20 for a 20’X20’ space and $5 for a table while supplies last. Rain date is Sunday July 29.

To reserve a space, call Marjorie at 860-342-2417 or marjoriebarrett@sbcglobal.net.