"When you look at your fuel bill each month, and it gets cold at night, it doesn’t take much to turn your heat up," Sawyer said, "but it also doesn’t take much to check off that little box either."

 

Sawyer referred to the Add-A-Dollar box on your energy bill assists low income working families, the elderly and disabled. The Add-a Dollar program started 20 years ago, and more than half of the funding for Operation Fuel is raised through this program.

Established in 1977, Operation Fuel was founded to offer emergency fuel assistance to those in need. This private, non-profit, statewide program is specifically targeted towards elderly, low income, working poor and disabled households that are not eligible for energy assistance from state funded programs. According to Sawyer, many of them have no where else to go.

"This funding is usually the last resort for people," Sawyer said, "Many people we serve are just in a temporary crisis."

This year, the average annual energy grant was raised from $275 to $400 per household. Executive director of Operation Fuel Patricia Wrice is both optimistic and cautious about the increase. "I believe that the generous people of the state will help us meet our goals, however, the increase shows how tough things are economically."

Connecticut Light & Power president and COO Raymond Necci said that the program works because, he said, "it’s a network of people helping people."

"We’ve been successful in raising $11 million since 1983, and none of the money is used for administrative costs," Necci said,

"We also match 50 cents to the dollar."

Sawyer encouraged everyone to educate the next generation about Operation Fuel and the Add-a Dollar box on their energy bills to ensure the program’s success for the future.

Also in attendance was New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart,P who announced that New Britain has set aside $50,000 in a fund to contribute to Operation Fuel.