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Welcome to HCCA's
Winter Community Newsletter
February 2011
Volume 4, Issue 4
Newsletter goal: provide local community members with resources to connect with others and improve lives.
Newsletter Focus: Staying Warm and Active this Winter.
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Board of Directors
| Mary Frances Bartlett
Rebecca West Dick
Dick Dyer
Cindy T. Flye
Rob Gordon
Chuck Hays, Treasurer
Kayla Ladenheim Bill McKenna
William McPeck, Vice Chair
Kathi Wall
Jim Wood, Chair
Mark Yerrick, Secretary
Joanne Joy, Director
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| HCCA Towns | Augusta
Chelsea
Farmingdale
Fayette
Gardiner
Hallowell
Litchfield
Manchester
Monmouth
Mount Vernon
Pittston
Randolph
Readfield
Richmond
Vienna
Wayne
West Gardiner
Windsor
Winthrop
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Annual Winthrop Heating Fundraising Event
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What:
Chili/Chowder/Soup Throwdown
When:
Saturday, February 26
Where:
Winthrop High School.
Who: Keep Winthrop Warm
Why: Help keep your neighbors warm this winter: the program has already assisted more than twice the number of households as last year and it is only the middle of February.
Suggested Donations:
$5 per person; $20 for a family.
Raffles: A print by local artist, John Holub; 100 gallons of fuel oil from Winthrop Fuel; 50/50 raffle and Door Prizes.
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Be a Living Well Leader!
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For information on the Living Well Program and the upcoming training,
see this flyer and/or call Vicki at
(800) 282-0764 ext. 126
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Winter Resources
| Visit HCCA's Winter Resource Page
Resources include: - Kennebec Valley United Way 2011 Winter Guide - Winter activities outside - Indoor Walking places |
| Augusta Warming Center Open Through March 31st on Water Street |
  The Augusta Warming Center has opened for it's second year! This year the Warming Center is located in the Masonic Building on Water St. The Entrance is on the River side of the building, across from the Gazebo. Hours are 9 am to 4 pm each day, including weekends. HCCA dropped in on a Friday afternoon to capture a bit of the activity going on. It is evident that the center is serving the city as more than simply a clean place to get out of the weather, sit, relax, use the restrooms and get warm!
The Warming Center is well provisioned by community donations from many sources. Donations are always welcome! We were just in time for the twice weekly delivery of donations from the E. Winthrop Baptist Church. Baked goods, fruits and vegetables were quickly separated and stored for breakfast and the afternoon snacks. Bagged items such as breads, were put aside for center visitors to take home. Stepping into the next room, where hot and cold beverages are offered, there were guests playing video games, putting a puzzle together and sitting on the comfy couches and chairs, all donated by local businesses an d citizens. Another room is filled with toys for visiting children and in the Center's entry room, there is a "take-away" area of donated clothing and household items for visitors.
The Warming Center is supported by the United Way through Bread of Life, and many other community businesses and individuals. An average of 25 to 30 guests drop by the Warming Center each day.
Sundays, volunteers serve a hot lunch, as the soup kitchen is closed that day. For more information, to make a donation or to volunteer, call 441-1434. Thank you!
 Joe LaBranche and Joshua Harrison with Warming Center Director Pat Finale, enjoying each other's company. Come join them!! |
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The Kennebec Explorer Links Us Together!
|  There are some new kids in town! They are the new buses and routes of The Kennebec Explorer. With their arrival, getting from here to there in Kennebec Valley has just gotten a lot easier and much less expensive. A ride to Waterville on the new bus costs only $3 one way! The bus routes have added regular stops at the Cancer Center, UMA, Downtown Augusta, Gardiner, Togus and the Career Center. The Kennebec Explorer now links Waterville to Gardiner and Togus to the Career Center. Many new routes and times have been added. For example, UMA students and employees without cars are now able to live in Gardiner or downtown Augusta. Here are links to Kennebec Explorer Schedules and information: Augusta/Gardiner and Regional Area Waterville Area and Augusta/Waterville Riders Guide Kennebec Explorer provides access to shopping, medical centers, employment services, transportation hubs and educational institutions with service Monday though Friday, 52 weeks a year, excluding holidays. 
Gary Washburn, a driver for KVCAP for six years, was "caught" keeping the view clear for riders. Gary notes that those who have ridden the bus really like it. Gary was driving the Gardiner/Augusta route. The Kennebec Explorer leaves Gardiner Hannaford at 7 am, arriving at the state house by 7:15 am; Downtown Augusta at 7:20 and UMA at 7:30; repeating the route twice more before ending the day back in Gardiner to stay at 5 pm. Bob Berryman, newly hired as a driver due to the 
additional routes and buses, takes advantage of a sunny day to spruce up his bus. It is evident that both drivers take pride in their new charges. This day, Bob was responsible for the Augusta East route, which links MaineGeneral, Hannaford and Togus. The new Kennebec Explorer is operated by KVCAP and has been made possible by a partnership that includes, among others, ManeGeneral Health, the University of Maine at Augusta, Downtown Augusta employers, Waterville buisness supporters, and the Maine Department of Transportation. Come Ride the bus! |
| Need Heating Assistance? Call 2-1-1 First | O ne of Maine's greatest resources, 2-1-1, is the first source to check for heating and related assistance! 2-1-1 is a telephone number that connects people 24/7 with important community services and volunteer opportunities. Trained individuals answer the phone and assist with requests.
Although there is a 211 website at www.211maine.org , people are urged to call the phone number. It's simple- just dial 211.
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Tips for When Energy/Heating Needs Arise
| If you or someone you know is in need of heating assistance this season remember:
- Dialing 211 is the first resource for locating help.
- Most towns and cities have a general assistance program, contact your town office.
- if a disconnect notice arrives in the mail, do not ignore it, call CMP immediately. This call triggers a report to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The case then is reviewed and the electricity will stay on in most cases at least through the review.
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Applying for Heating Assistance With LIHEAP
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To schedule an interview call (207)859-1500
LIHEAP helps both homeowners and renters with their heating costs. Household income must be lower than 200% of the poverty level. (This equals about $2,428 per month for a family of 2.) If anyone in the household is over age 60, below age 2, or has a health condition that puts them at risk of hypothermia then the income limit can be higher - 230% of poverty level. (This equals about $2,768 per month for a family of 2.)
If heat is included in your rent, you can still get help. If you apply and get even a little bit of help, then your monthly Food Supplement benefit may go up.
You apply for LIHEAP through your local Community Action Program. Bring the following to the interview:
1. Proof of income
2. Name of your heating vendor (who sells you oil, for instance)
3. Your CMP account number - you may be eligible for assistance
4. Your telephone number
5. Your Social Security number 6. Birthdates of all people in the home
Once you are accepted for the LIHEAP program, you may be able to receive the following programs if needed:
Emergency Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)
You can get this help once per heating season for emergency fuel or to avoid electricity cut-off. You must get LIHEAP to get ECIP.
Weatherization and Furnace Repair or Replacement (CHIP)
This program gives grants to home owners and renters for weatherization and 0r repair or replacement of central heating systems The guidelines are the same as LIHEAP, you must have a current LIHEAP application.
Did you know...
LIHEAP and other Heat Helper funds can also pay for wood. KVCAP has a list of approved wood dealers.
Applications for LIHEAP are accepted until April 30th this year.
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Citizens Energy Fuel 2011 Program
| Citizens Energy's Fuel Assistance Program is available again this year. The program will take applications through March, 2011. Customers can apply during that time period only by calling the toll free number 1-978-269-5980 or 1-877-563-4645. Those qualifying for fuel assistance in Maine will meet program guidelines, but interested customers still need to apply. Dealers have until April 30, 2011 to complete all deliveries.
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Every Day Basics For Everyone!
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church outreach ministries have changed their hours slightly.
Addie's Attic
free clothing bank is now open:
Mondays 1:00-3:00pm
Thursdays 9:00am-12noon
Saturdays 1st and 3rd Saturdays 1:00-4:00pm
Everyday Basics
free essentials pantry is now open:
1st and 3rd Saturdays from 1:00-4:00pm
We offer a bar of soap, toothbrush and paste, toilet paper, diapers and wipes, shampoo, feminine hygiene products and powdered laundry detergent.
There are no residency or eligibility requirements for receiving esentials and clothing, all are welcome.
Contributions of clothes and of essential items or money may be delivered to St. Mark's during any of the hours that the clothing bank and/or essentials pantry are open.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church parish house
9 Summer St., Augusta
622-2424
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KeepMEWell Keeps YOU Well!
|  Use this private personalized FREE on-line health risk assessment to find opportunities to improve your health. Receive a list of resources from 2-1-1 Maine tailored to your health improvement.
Click Here to participate! |
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Create your own heat: Exercise!!
| | We are fortunate to live in an area where beauty is everywhere, and a nice walk is just outside your door, or inside your local school! For a few ideas for keeping active (and warm) outside this winter, visit our website page here.
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Local Farmers Markets Remain Open This Winter!!
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Gardiner Farmer's Market -
1st and 3rd Weds. - 2-6 p.m. Episcopal Church on the Common
SNAP/Food Stamp Cards accepted
Augusta Farmer's Market, Mill Park l-
Tuesday from 3-4:30 p.m., weather permitting
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Eat Well Program
| This program for healthy eating is free to food stamp eligible individuals and families.
You will learn:
- How to stretch food dollars
- New recipes for healthy meals
- How to prepare great snacks
- Meal planning for busy people
- Cooking skills
- Favorite recipes made healthy
- How to keep foods safe
- Tips for a healthy lifestyle
For more information contact Jane Allen, Nutrition Associate, at the Kennebec County Cooperative Extension office at 1-800-287-1481 or 622-7546. You can also find information at the Cooperative Extension website: http://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/eat-well/
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Nutritious Foods Warm Body and Soul
|  HCCA has information about nutritious foods that keep the body well fueled through these cold Maine winters. For more information, please contact Amy Wagner, 588-5019 awagner@mcd.org |
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Thank you for your time and attention. Please contact us if we can be of assistance in supporting your southern Kennebec communities' quality of life!
We hope you found the information presented here useful and informative. Please send comments and suggestions for improvement to the contact information below.
Sincerely,
Joanne E.A. Joy, Director
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
Karen Tucker, Project Coordinator
All our newsletters are permission only. You are receiving this because we have an established relationship with you. If you do not want to receive future newsletters, please activate the "safeunsubscribe"link at the end of the newsletter.
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HMP is a collaborative effort among 28 local coalitions, the Maine DHHS (Maine CDC and Office of Substance Abuse) and DOE, supported primarily by the Fund for Healthy Maine with federal grants from the US CDC, SAMHSA, and DOE.
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