To the editor:
As I sit here in my office on this warm April day I’m asking myself were does time go. It seems as though just yesterday we began our 2009/10 wood deliveries to Aroostook County’s elderly, working cold, and others who are less fortunate. During this past winter season FoA (Friends of Aroostook) delivered firewood to Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield, Orient, Silver Ridge, and towns in-between. We were able to honor all requests as they arose. There are no fees charged to the consumer for this service.
As director of this outreach program, sponsored by Empowering Life, I had the privilege of delivering the firewood and meeting many, who where in need of a hand up. Getting firewood from the forest to the consumer is not an easy task, but many hands do make light work. With this thought in mind Friends of Aroostook would like to acknowledge those who made Operation Wood Heat successful.
It is important to mention this program began with one of the many visions of service the board of directors at Empowering Life have for Northern, Maine. During the summer of 2009 wood contractors Bruce Warman and Mike Lane cut, harvested, delivered, and donated 18 cord of tree length to FoA. The South Aroostook Vocational Education (Region 2) Forestry Program students sawed, split, and piled the tree-length wood during the fall months. Also the Salvation Army donated their time to assist in identifying those in need. The costs associated with deliveries were funded by The United Way of Aroostook. You might say people in Aroostook, giving to lend a hand up to others. We call it “Connecting Local Resources With Local Needs.”
We have closed out our Operation Wood Heat program for this year, but continue to prepare for another successful season in 2010-11. Again thanks to all for their continuing support.
program director
Friends of Aroostook
