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Shareheat Facts
For over 20 years, Shareheat has provided emergency home heating assistance to residents within CVPS’s service territory. Funds are raised from the general public and matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000 by CVPS shareholders.  Since 1987, Shareheat has raised over $3.1 million to prevent Vermonters from going cold during the heating season. Half of that amount has been collected from the public and half has been donated by CVPS shareholders.

Hoping to ensure no one goes cold for lack of heating funds, CVPS has kicked off its 2009-2010 Shareheat campaign with a $100,000 pledge.

How Shareheat Works
All funds raised through Shareheat are distributed to the five community action agencies that serve within CVPS’s service territory. All donations to Shareheat are directed to the community action agency that services the donor’s community, so their contributions help people their neighbors. CVPS matching dollars are applied to donations on a first-come, first-served basis.

All Shareheat funds are distributed to individuals through community action agencies, and agency case workers determine how best to allocate Shareheat funds. They will often use a combination of Shareheat and other resources to meet clients’ needs. CVPS does not make individual decisions about who receives Shareheat funds.

Shareheat Fund Eligibility
Community action agency case workers evaluate clients’ needs to determine whether to use Shareheat funds for those facing a home heating emergency. There is no application form to complete.

Shareheat funds are generally distributed to individuals who do not qualify for other low-income home heating programs or who have exceeded the maximum allotment for other resources and still face heating crises.

How to contribute to Shareheat
During the heating season, CVPS frequently provides a mail-in Shareheat donation form in customer bills that can be completed and returned with regular bill payments.

If you are a CVPS customer, please be sure to make out a separate check for your Shareheat contribution apart from your regular CVPS bill payment.

However, anyone can donate to Shareheat at any time. Simply make your check payable to CVPS Shareheat and mail it to CVPS at 77 Grove St., Rutland, VT 05701.

Community Action Agencies
The following community action agencies distribute Shareheat funds to those in need.

BROC
60 Center St., Rutland, VT 05701                             1-800-717-2762 or (802)775-0878
332 Orchard Road, Bennington, VT 05201                   (802) 447-7515

Central Vermont Community Action Council          
195 US Route 302- Berlin, Barre, VT 05641               1-800-639-1053 or (802) 479-1053
197 Harrel St., Morrisville, VT 05661                     1-800-639-8710 or (802) 888-7993
35 Ayers Brook Road, Randolph, VT 05060               1-800-846-9506 or (802) 728-9506
159 Main St., Bradford, VT 05033                         1-802-222-5419

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity
P.O. Box 82, Middlebury, VT 05753                            1-800-639-2318 or (802) 388-2285
P.O. Box 1603, Burlington, VT 05402                         1-800-287-7971 or (802) 862-2771
86 North Main St., St. Albans, VT 05478               1-800-300-7392 or (802) 527-7392

Northeast Kingdom Community Action
115 Lincoln St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819                    (802) 748-8997
70 Main St., P.O. Box 346, Newport, VT 05855           1-800-639-4065 or (802) 334-7316
Mill Street, Island Pond, VT                                                (802) 723-6245
216 Gail St., Canaan, VT                                              (802) 266-7134

Southeastern Vermont Community Action              
91 Buck Drive, Westminster, VT 05158                        1-800-464-9951 or (802) 722-4575

What People Are Saying about Shareheat
To CVPS Shareheat:
My mother is 85 years old today and still living independently. She has asked our family to celebrate her birthday this year with a donation to your Shareheat program. Enclosed is our donation and it will please her immensely to know that someone else’s family can stay a bit warmer this winter. Thank you CVPS for setting up such a program.
   Sincerely,
   Betsy and Roger Owen

Shareheat funds are a critical element for keeping low-income clients safe and warm, especially young children, elders and disabled persons. Shareheat offers flexibility in the services it pays for, such as fuel account deposits and minor heating system repairs. This fills a looming gap when a deposit is necessary to secure fuel delivery or a repair is needed to make use of fuel. It dovetails nicely with other programs which are limited only to paying for fuel or energy products.
   Elizabeth Eddy
   BROC