KENNEBUNK — A community assistance program in York County that helps low-income and elderly residents stay warm during the cold winter months has received an unexpected donation that will allow more area participants to take advantage of its valuable services.

According to Amy Nucci, Habitat for Humanity of York County’s executive director, the organization’s community weatherization program, Keep York County Warm!, has been given a $10,000 donation from the Narragansett #1 Foundation.

“Keep York County Warm! has assisted local families in controlling their home environment by improving the barrier between indoors and outdoors, and increasing their comfort and health levels by making rooms warmer, less drafty, and, in some cases, more usable,” Nucci said. “We’re pleased to have the continued support of Narragansett #1 Foundation in helping low-income homeowners throughout York County.”

The Narragansett Number One Foundation is a nonprofit corporation based in Maine that was established by Pat and Erwin Wales in 2001 to help community organizations achieve their goals. It aims to provide funding for community projects that help schools, fire departments, police departments, parks, recreational facilities, religious organizations, libraries, programs for children, homeless, needy, and abused persons, museums and shelters for animals.

Nucci said that Habitat’s Keep York County Warm! has partnered with local energy auditors and community volunteers at Efficiency Maine, to offer program participants with energy audits, weatherization services and custom-made interior storm window inserts for up to 40 low-income homeowners every year.

“Once weatherized, these homes are warmer and less drafty and their occupants experience increased comfort levels,” she said.

In addition, improvements made to homes during the weatherization process often makes the residences less noisy, improves their durability, and saves on energy costs, Nucci said.

“Keep York County Warm! also provides low-flow showerhead and faucet aerator retrofits as part of the package of energy-efficiency measures installed,” she said. “In addition to saving energy, these measures result in reduced household water use. Accordingly, households receiving these services save money on their water bills and, because sewer charges are sometimes based on the amount of water consumption, on their sewer bills as well.”

The free weatherization services provided by Keep York County Warm! have a direct impact on income-eligible families and seniors by reducing their heating and cooling costs, and improving health and safety issues, Nucci said. The addition of energy-efficiency measures also helps preserve the home.

She said that Habitat has many opportunities to volunteer on weatherization projects with Keep York County Warm! such as at the upcoming Kirk Street Build in Springvale, in the ReStore in Kennebunk, in the office or at the Walk to Raise the Roof in Springvale in September.

“Anyone interested in participating or donating to Habitat is encouraged to call the Habitat office at 985-4850 or visit www.habitatyorkcounty.org,” Nucci said.

The need for heating assistance in York County and in Maine has increased significantly over the last few years, fueled by rising costs of heating oil, diminished federal funding and numerous changes to federal guidelines that has left many households ineligible for heating assistance benefits like LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). In 2014 in Maine, LIHEAP distributed more than $37.6 million in the state for heating assistance.

Habitat for Humanity York County is the local affiliate of Habitat International and was incorporated in 1985 as a nonprofit builder of affordable homes in partnership with low-income families, community volunteers, and local businesses.

Nucci said that Habitat for Humanity of York County is currently in the process of building their 27^th home in West Kennebunk and that plans are in the works to construct a 28^th home in Wells.

“Our mission is to work towards the elimination of poverty housing in York County and to stir the hearts and minds of others to take action on this issue,” Nucci said.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at [email protected]