The REAS Foundation is excited to announce that we have reached our first fundraising milestone by obtaining 14% of our goal. Donations over the last two weeks have brought our tipped us just over the $3000.00 mark. Clearly, reaching this first milestone demonstrates the committment that Sturbridge residents have for its seniors.

We are fortunate as a community to enjoy such early success in our collective efforts to provide assistance to Sturbridge seniors in need. We at the REAS Foundation, recognize that ultimately, the success of this endeavor will not, and does rest with the organization, but rather with the compassionate and committed residents of Sturbridge, who find themselves able to step forward and reach out to those in need.

Our heartfelt thanks, to each of you who have helped us reach our first milestone.

The progress of our fundraising efforts can be monitored by viewing the bar graph on our homepage.

Thomas R. Creamer
Executive Director

Donations can be sent to:

REAS Foundation
P.O. Box 737
Fiskdale, MA 01518

Sturbridge People - Helping Sturbridge People

Sturbridge Boy Scout Troop 161, announced earlier this week that they were partnering with the REAS Foundation in support of our efforts to raise funds for energy assistance. Charter Organization Representative - Thomas Chamberland, contacted the REAS Foundation this past week to announce that Boy Scout Troop 161 will be conducting a can drive throughout the month of November with all proceeds going to the Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors Foundation.

Most residents in town, are well aware of the enormous commitment and endless service that Tom Chamberland dedicates to our town, whether it be in relation to his responsibility as Tree Warden, or his duties as Veteran’s Affairs Agent and the great care and sensitivity with which he executes that role. Then of course, there is his endless work with town trails and the annual spring clean-ups, including Arbor Day activities, as well as his responsibility as an Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger, just to highlight a few of his roles.

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The REAS Foundation is pleased to announce that Kevin Spencer - Sturbridge resident and owner of Hooya’s Restaurant - has joined the REAS Team as our latest fundraising partner. Hooya’s, formerly located in Sturbridge on Brookfield Road, recently moved to Brimfield due to the need and desire for expanded operations.

Kevin approached the REAS Foundation after learning of its inception, and indicated his desire to support “such a worthy and important cause”. As a Sturbridge resident, Kevin is deeply committed to the community and wanted to do whatever he could to support seniors. To that end, he has pledged all of his non-alcoholic returnable can revenue, which is substantial considering his bustling business.

Though business considerations and opportunities drove his restaurant relocation, Kevin stated, “I’m still a Sturbridge resident, Sturbridge is my home, and I believe we need to do everything to help our seniors”. He went on to say, “This is a great cause, and I am proud to be a part of giving back to my community”.

For those unfamiliar with Hooya’s, it serves up great breakfast and lunch specials, with heaping portions and loads of friendly atmosphere. The ten-minute drive west on Route 20 to Brimfield is quick and pleasant.

We at the REAS Foundation, thank Kevin and the staff at Hooya’s for their commitment to Sturbridge Seniors.

Thomas R. Creamer
Executive Director

REAS Foundation
P.O. Box 737
Fiskdale, MA 01518

http://www.reasfoundation.org

info@reasfoundation.org

Being a Good Neighbor

What does this mean, exactly? More specifically, what does it mean to local, and locally-based, businesses? It’s about corporate citizenship. It’s about recognizing that even though – or perhaps because – we are businesses, we have a commitment to be good neighbors to everyone who lives and works in Sturbridge.

I invite you to consider that every business, large and small, contributes to our quality of life in Sturbridge. In fact, many of our local businesses thrive on the quality of life here. We are retailers and restaurateurs whose survival depends on the patronage of local residents and the tourists who are attracted here.

Some of us are corporations that could have located anywhere, but chose Sturbridge for its unique qualities that enhance our business experiences. Some of us don’t rely on foot and tourist traffic, but our attachments to this town are deeply felt.

We all share commonalities: we provide job opportunities and pay taxes; our employees shop, eat and otherwise enjoy their time in Sturbridge. Some of us – owners, managers, and employees alike – live elsewhere. Many of us live right in Sturbridge. Regardless, we all spend a significant portion of our daily lives here, and as such, we are neighbors.

Being a good corporate citizen is more than just recognizing these facts. It requires that we give back to this town in direct and meaningful ways. It requires that we set a standard for citizenship by reaching out to our most vulnerable, with an offer of tangible help when it is needed most. Some will say business is without soul. I beg to differ. I believe that in times of need our local businesses are the first to step up and demonstrate that we care. We do this because we are good neighbors.

Jennifer Morrison
Chief Administraive Officer
REAS Foundation

jennifer.morrison@reasfoundation.org

The following article was written by Taryn Plumb of the Tantasqua Town Common and published in this week’s edition. Our thanks to Turley Publications and Taryn for an outstanding story about the REAS Foundaton. Here then is the article.

Fundraisers begin for elder energy assistance

By Taryn Plumb
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE - It all started with an oil bill. The last one of the winter, it was high, certainly higher than what Selectman and local business owner Scott Garieri was used to. It made him think:“Boy, if it keeps going like this, there are going to be a lot of people hurting this year,” he explained, “namely the elderly.”

That concern in mind, a group of residents have banded together in an attempt to alleviate the pressure on Sturbridge seniors from the seemingly unceasing climb of gas, oil and utility prices. The newly formed Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors (REAS) Foundation is comprised of locals from various backgrounds, including elder advocacy, administration, community outreach and government.

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The following article is taken from today’s (July 16, 2008) Worcester Telegram and Gazette as written by reporter Craig Semon. Many thanks to Craig from the REAS Foundation for an outstanding story about our efforts.

Friends Pitch in to Help Seniors

Soaring energy costs are targeted

By Craig S. Semon TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
 
STURBRIDGE— The Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors Foundation kicked off a fundraising drive yesterday at the Senior Center to help the elderly with energy bills or help them find ways to save energy.

One of the fundraising campaigns — the $10K Circle of Friends— is seeking 1,000 Sturbridge families or individuals to donate $10 each, for a total of $10,000.

There also is a $10K Circle of Businesses, which seeks businesses donors. Both campaigns end Nov. 15. 

A three-member Awards Committee will review applications and make awards. It promises to preserve confidentiality as it reviews the financial information of applicants. The committee consists of Thomas Creamer, the foundation’s executive director; Jennifer Morrison, president of Sterling Engineering; and Kay Malloy.

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The following story was printed in today’s edition (Sunday, July 13, 2008), of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. It is an inspiring story of a woman in Leominster, who is working to establish an energy assistance fund in her community. Kudos to Mrs. Ginny White. Here then is the article.

LEOMINSTER— “I’m looking for the good, the bad and the ugly,” said Ginny White, about her latest effort to raise $20,000 toward an emergency assistance fund for home heating costs.

Starting on Tuesday and running through Saturday, Mrs. White, the owner and operator of Ginny’s Thrift Shop, is seeking donations of used shoes, sneakers and sandals. Donations can be made between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the store, 52 Mechanic St.

Mrs. White has owned the shop for more than 29 years and she is best known for helping out the area’s less fortunate. In addition to running the thrift shop, which also sells used furniture and clothing, she also runs a food pantry. The pantry serves upward of 40 people a day.
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The federal government recently released a series of economic numbers that clearly add up to significant economic woes for many of us, not the least of which are our seniors on fixed incomes. On June 13, 2008, CNN reported that a “dramatic increase in energy costs were largely responsible for the overall inflation “…as energy costs rose 4.4% in May, and surged 17.4% over the 12 months ending in May”.

Additional information released by the government included the following:

• The index for fuel oil rose 10.4% in May and soared 64% over the 12 months.
• The gasoline index rose 5.7% in May and surged 20.8% on a year-over-year basis.
• The index for natural gas rose 5.6% in May, and was up 16.5% over the last year.
• Electricity costs also increased, but less dramatically, edging up 0.9% in May, and rising 5.8% over the last 12 months.
• The price of food also pushed up overall costs. Food costs increased 0.3% in May, and jumped 5.1% during the 12 months ending in May. The price of milk was a big influence on the overall price, increasing 10.2% over the 12 months, despite slipping 0.7% in May.

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The following, is taken directly from the most recent customer newsletter sent out by Jeff Tasse of Tasse Fuel Corporation. In addition to the many community volunteer projects Jeff is involved with, he and his sister Leigh are members of the REAS Foundation Board of Directors. We are grateful for their commitment to, and assistance with our efforts on behalf of Sturbridge seniors.

Regardless of the type of energy you use, or the provider you choose, the information below is valuable when applied in the appropriate context. Your energy providers may offer different programs, but this should help to initiate some dialogue between you and those providers. Please feel free to contact Tasse Fuel Corporation to obtain help answering any of your energy questions at  50… or visit their website: http://www.tasses.com/default.htm

Here then is the Tasse Newsletter:

There is no doubt that we have an uncertain heating season ahead. The prices we pay for oil have become so volatile that they can change by more than 30¢ per gallon just from the morning to the afternoon! Even the experts don’t know where prices are headed this winter. Some are predicting them to double, others day we could see a price drop of as much as 30%.  (Wondering why prices fluctuate so much? See “Who prices oil anyway?”) http://www.tasses.com/newsletter.htm#Who_prices_oil,_anyway

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Here are a few tips provided by Tasse Fuel Corporation (members of the REAS Foundation Board of Directors) that can help stretch  your oil dollar. You can find additional information about your heating and cooling concerns at Tasse Fuel’s website: http://www.tasses.com/default.htm.

• Let the sun into Eastern-facing windows in the morning and Western-facing windows in the afternoon for natural heat

• Manage your window coverings to help let in the sun, and cover the chill at different times of the day

• Close kitchen vents, fireplace dampers and closet doors when not using them

• Remove a/c units when not in use (or cover them well)

• Keep radiators free of dust

• Turn the thermostat down (10 degrees can  give up to 10% savings)

• Insulate your pipes and hot water tank

• Avoid space heaters — they’re dangerous and expensive!

• Tighten gaps under doors with a bottom seal

• Service your heating system regularly (see inside for special!)

• Install low-emissivity glass windows (If you want to keep your original windows, consider adding an energy-saving window film.)

• Turn down the temperature on your water heater  

• Run your dishwasher only when it’s full

• Clear furniture and accessories away from your heating vents

• Add or augment attic insulation

• Wash your clothes in cold water