Ice House demonstration supports fuel efforts

HARTFORD — Operation Fuel will give people an opportunity to experience what it is like to live in a freezing home when it unveils its Ice House on Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Old State House in downtown Hartford. The Ice House will be built the night before by professional ice sculptors from Ice Matters. This inaugural event is the first of its kind in Connecticut.

There are 500,000 Connecticut households that can’t afford the cost of basic needs, including their energy bills. This includes working families with young children, people living with disabilities and the elderly living on a fixed income.

“We are going to be sitting on ice. We are going to be sitting within ice walls and we are going to feel what it is like not to have the heat and lights on,” said Brenda Watson, executive director of Operation Fuel.

The Ice House will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 24 and people will have an opportunity to step inside the “home” to experience its freezing temperatures. Music, visiting mascots, information on energy assistance programs along with food trucks and other surprises will be part of the day. There is no charge to the public to participate, but rather a donation of $5 per person is encouraged.

Eversource Energy is the Presenting Sponsor. “We’re always mindful of the effect the price of power has on our customers, particularly those who are facing difficult financial circumstances,” said Eversource President of Corporate Citizenship Rod Powell. “Partnering with Operation Fuel on events like this and the very successful Add-a-Dollar program, we’re helping to bridge the gap for struggling families.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the support and partnership from Eversource Energy. As a result of their support and others, we will be able to help many struggling Connecticut households this winter,” added Watson.

Other event sponsors include: Gold Sponsor: iHeart Media; Silver Sponsor: AARP; Bronze Sponsors: Connecticut Democracy Center and The Old State House; Ella Grasso Sponsors: Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, Connecticut Green Bank, Connecticut Public, Empire Industries, Manchester Honda/Carter Chevrolet, Robinson +Cole LLP, and Windsor Federal Savings; Father Thomas Lynch Sponsors: Connecticut Power and Energy Society, DePino, Nuñez, and Biggs, LLC, Dillon Mailing and Printing, Ferguson & McGuire, and Karen Paterno Communications. Sponsorships are still available.

A workplace campaign called “Chill Out” is a way for groups, clubs or companies to support Operation Fuel by raising funds internally and nominating a representative to “Chill Out” in the ice house for 15 minutes.

For more information on the “Chill Out” campaign, sponsorship opportunities or the event, visit http://www.operationfuel.org/icehouse or contact Kim O’Brien Green at 860-243-2345, ext. 3303, or at icehousect@operationfuel.org.

Operation Fuel provides yearround emergency energy assistance throughout Connecticut to lower-income working families and individuals, the elderly, and disabled individuals who are in a financial crisis. Anyone who needs energy assistance should call 211. For more information on Operation Fuel, or to make a donation, go to www.operationfuel.org.