Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors continues mission to keep Windham residents warm

The Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors heating assistance season ended on April 30 and despite unique challenges presented during this past fall, winter, and spring, the charitable organization is pleased report that it met its mission for the 15th straight year.

This was not easy to achieve. The WNHN group held its first post-pandemic in-person fundraising event, and overcame high heating fuel prices, and brought on a new fuel oil vendor while still meeting its goals.

Since its inception, the organization has served Windham families on 903 occasions and spent $274,126 doing so. In that time, they’ve arranged for delivery of 91,034 gallons of fuel oil, propane, and kerosene, as well as 6-and-a-quarter cords of wood and two tons of heating pellets to keep people warm. This year Windham Neighbor Helping Neighbors handled a total of 64 cases, making it their third most expensive heating season to date.

“Windham Neighbors is fortunate to have a committed community who supports our mission,” said Patrick Corey, WNHN president. “This includes dedicated board members, local public service organizations and churches, the town, area businesses, and Windham residents. They all pitch in to help.”

According to Corey, Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors changed fuel oil vendors last summer after Fielding’s Oil and Propane Co. approached them with a proposal that would reduce fuel costs and assure better emergency delivery times along with smoother order and billing processing.

Corey said that Fielding’s stepped up in every way helping them to better serve Windham’s people while creating efficiencies for their all-volunteer WNHN organization.

“Fielding’s was wonderful to work with,” said WNHN board member Linda Morrell. “Cindi was so helpful every time we called. A lot of the time the fuel was delivered that day or the very next. They have a lot of compassion and truly care for their customers.”

Windham Neighbors also changed its annual fundraising event following a pandemic hiatus and launched a new “Howdy Neighbor Hoedown.” This country themed event was held at Erik’s Church in Windham and featured the band 12/OC. The event went from cocktail attire to come-as-you-are, abbreviated its popular live auction, and entertained with live music and dancing. The change in format was a success and they will be repeating that again this year on Thursday, Sept. 21. Be on the lookout for tickets and tables.

“We are excited to partner with Erik’s Church again for our 2nd annual Howdy Neighbor’s Hoedown on Sept. 21, 2023,” said Deb Matthews, WNHN secretary and treasurer. “We will again have our fabulous live auction hosted by Stef Keenan of Keenan Auctions. This year we will bring back a smaller silent auction that was missed by so many. Our entertainment will be provided by Andi Fawcett for dancing after the live auction. Please watch for ticket sales on Eventbrite.”

For the second year in a row WNHN held a virtual auction using Facebook where participants bid in the comments. Windham businesses and residents stepped up providing auction items like gift certificates, handmade items, and goods. There was quite a bit of friendly competition, and the organization is excited to see community members engaging in new ways to raise money for fuel assistance who were not involved with Windham Neighbors previously, Corey said. This year’s auction will kick off in November.

“We are looking forward to the 2023 Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors Facebook Online Auction, which will take place in November,” WNHN volunteer Barb Maurais said. “Community members will be able to participate by donating items or services, bidding, and new this year, a buy it now option for select items.”

Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors looks forward to a future of keeping Windham residents in need of emergency fuel assistance and are thankful for the community support they have received over the past 15 heating seasons. <