On November 25th, representatives from New England Gas Company presented a $2,000 donation check to Citizens for Citizens, Inc. for the Operation Christmas Fund. James Carey and Maria La Vault of New England Gas handed the check to Barbara Travis, CFC’s Operation Christmas Director, at the Citizens for Citizens, Inc. Griffin Street office. Ms. Travis noted, “All funds donated to the Operation Christmas Program are used to purchase new toys for area children, from newborn to 12 years of age.”

Fund raising for Operation Christmas will again begin with the CFC Annual Telethon. The Telethon will take place at the New Harbor Mall on Friday, December 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, December 5 from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday, December 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Since 1975, the small program that began with the distribution of used toys to city tots has now grown to a much larger operation that will supply Christmas gifts to over 5,000 Greater Fall River area children. Operation Christmas is funded entirely by donations from area residents and businesses, with all the funds that are raised being used to purchase new toys for the children of low-income families.

November 27, 2009 is the deadline for families to register their children for Operation Christmas gifts at the CFC 264 Griffin Street location. Children from the age of birth to 12 years old that reside with a parent or legal guardian are eligible. Parents will need to bring an ID card or document for themselves, and social security cards or Mass Health cards for their children in order to register for the Operation Christmas Program.

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A joint press conference was held with CFC‘s Weatherization Program and the utility sponsored Energy Bucks Program to showcase a home that will receive more than $6,000 in free weatherization services and reduce energy consumption by 30%.

The home of John Cruz & his wife Kimberly Benoit-Cruz resembled an invasion of energy efficient warriors determined to reduce the energy usage of the homeowners. Professional weatherization contractors were removing the siding of their home so insulation could be blown into the wall cavities. Insulated covers were fabricated so after the attic was insulated the attic pull down stairs could be covered to prevent the heated air from escaping through any cracks or openings leading to the attic.

All of these activities are the result of Citizens for Citizens Weatherization Program (WAP) located at 427 Robeson Street, Fall River. Weatherization Director: Madeleine Cormier said “CFC’s WAP program recently received more than $8,500,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to weatherize more than 1,200 homes in the Greater Fall River, Taunton and New Bedford areas over the next 2 ½ years.”

Also on hand was State Representative, Michael J. Rodrigues who addressed the gathering “I have always been a strong supporter of the weatherization activities that CFC provides to the residents in Fall River area.” Representing the Energy Bucks Program was Senior Program Manager: Diana Duffy. Ms Duffy explained the partnership between CFC & Energy Bucks and the importance of the contributions of the utility sponsored program to supplement the weatherization activities. Liz Berube CFC’s Fuel Assistance Director explained that the Fuel Assistance Program provides the Weatherization and Home Heating Repair/Replacement Programs with the income verification necessary to determine income eligibility.

The Cruz family qualified for the Fuel Assistance Program which automatically qualified them for the WAP Program. After they applied for weatherization, a site specific energy audit was performed by one of CFC’s Department of Energy certified auditors and the results of the audit determines what type of energy efficient work should be installed. The audit is returned to the WAP office and work orders are prepared for private contractors. After the work has been completed all the measures are inspected to ensure that the work was performed in accordance with state specifications. All work is performed by licensed and insured private contractors. Many of the contractors have been providing energy efficient measures for CFC for numerous years.

Some of the measures that can be provided at no cost to the homeowner or tenants include: Attic and wall insulation, weather-stripping doors and windows, sealing air leaks throughout the home, low flow shower heads and other energy saving measures.

People interested in applying for the Weatherization Program should call 508-675-2157 and ask for the weatherization program for more information or click here.

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“One kind word can warm three winter months”
Japanese proverb

There was warmth indeed provided by the Foster Grandparents in attendance at the annual Foster Grandparents Program Recognition Luncheon held Friday, October 23rd 2009 at White’s Family Restaurant.

More than 95 Foster Grandparents were in attendance, along with elected officials and other dignitaries who delivered deserved praise to the people who work with special needs youths in area schools. The Foster Grandparent Program is now in its 37th year of operation at Citizens for Citizens, Inc. (CFC). This valuable program has helped countless children with learning disabilities to overcome with their problems and develop the ability to lead normal, productive lives upon leaving school.

Foster Grandparent Program Director: James Sousa proudly accepted achievement citations on behalf of the Foster Grandparent Program from the offices of Senator John F. Kerry, Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

This year, the following five Foster Grandparents were given long-term service awards:

Winifred LeCornec… 27 years of service
Evelyn Cordeiro… 20 years of service
Josephine Dube… 20 years of service
Sonja Herman … 10 years of service
Alice Medeiros… 10 years of service

Presenting the awards was CFC’s Executive Director, Mark A. Sullivan, Jr., along with Massachusetts State Representatives Kevin Aguiar, Mike Rodrigues, and David Sullivan.

Foster Grandparent Program participants must be 55 years or older, and meet certain income guidelines, as Foster Grandparents receive a stipend for their services. Anyone interested in becoming a Foster Grandparent should call 508-679-0041 or visit CFC’s website at www.cfcinc.org .

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