Comfort Keepers Ministry Inc., is kicking off its 8th annual Warm Homes Project which will provide firewood and heaters to families in need this winter.
“We have been really blessed with some amazing partners again this year. B&B Supply in Highland has partnered with us for a third year and this increases our buying power and allows us to provide more heaters. The great thing about the heaters, is that if there are any left over, we can store them and they roll on to the next year’s project,” Lauren Siebert, president of the organization said. “Another great partnership is with the Veterans Outreach Program (VOP) in Fulton County who have partnered for a third year as well to make sure we have firewood to give out.”
Since its inception in 2014, several hundred heaters have been given out to citizens in Sharp, Fulton, Izard and Lawrence Counties and approximately 20 ricks of wood were given out to families during the last two winters.
Although resources are limited, the hope of the program is to serve as a long-term solution to a short-term problem.
“The whole purpose of the projects we do, whether it is heaters and firewood, fans or swim lessons, is to create long term solutions to short term problems. Although extreme heat and cold may feel like they will last forever, thankfully we have four seasons in Arkansas. The firewood will burn, but the heaters can be used for several years,” Siebert said.
Siebert noted the firewood was added as a project expansion approximately four years ago after finding many senior citizens were unable to get wood due to fixed incomes or lack of availability or in a few rare instances, had paid cash and not received the wood they had ordered.
“This is something I knew we could do something about. We are not trying to take business away from those who cut wood to make extra money for the winter, and in the past, we have purchased wood from local cutters when we were able,” Siebert said. “We do know however that sometimes you need a little wood to get you through until what you ordered has been delivered, or something unexpected has come up and quite frankly, no one should have to be cold when there is something we as a community can and are doing about it.”
None of the projects undertaken by Comfort Keepers Ministry would be possible without the generous support of the community and Siebert said she is thankful.
“This community has so many amazing organizations who work year-round to change lives for the better and we are grateful for their existence. We hope the projects we do, continue to be the right ones, and improve quality of life for those living in the tri-county and surrounding areas,” Siebert said.
For more information, contact Lauren Siebert through Facebook or you may call or text 870-373-1233.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
