SCARBOROUGH — When temperatures plunge and prices are on the rise as they are now, more than a few of our neighbors need extra help to keep their homes warm. That’s why Project GRACE and the Town of Scarborough held the 10th annual “Rally to Keep Our Neighbors Warm” fundraiser on a cold winter’s morning at the Public Safety building in Scarborough.

For the 10th year, local philanthropist Eddie Woodin has challenged his community to raise money for fuel assistance. This year’s ambitious goal was raise $25,000 to earn Eddie’s $2,500 gift: Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial and AB Ledue Enterprises were quick to step forward with a match. Banks and credit unions, churches, clubs and service organizations, town employees and town councilors, local businesses, and many families from all over town chipped in to meet Eddie’s challenge (visit fuelrally.org fmi).

On the morning of Feb. 19, within two hours, hundreds of neighbors cheerfully lined up curbside to give the police and VIP volunteers more than $10,000 in cash and checks of all sizes for the fuel fund. By noon that Saturday, together more than $26,000 dollars for fuel assistance was raised.

At today’s prices, that covers about 60 ‘helps’ of 100 gallons of oil, k1, propane, or firewood. Thanks to the rally, that’s nearly 8,000 gallons of fuel to keep furnaces going. When there is extra in the fuel fund, Project GRACE can also offer help with modest home repairs to stop costly drafts, a furnace cleaning, or tune up to improve efficiency and lower energy consumption.

The rally brings us together in common cause. Asked why they give, Scott and Kelli McDonald said, “it’s our goal to provide financial security to the communities we live in. Giving back is the culture that Modern Woodmen is founded on. Helping others is the best part of our job!”

Art Ledue of AB Ledue Enterprises agreed.”Community is so important, and we need to be there for each other,” he said.

This year’s curbside event included a “grab bag” book sale, energy efficiency tips from the Sustainability Committee, and a bottle and can drive sponsored by the Scarborough Lions Club. Scarborough Volunteers in Police Service and Scarborough Public Safety gave out 350 quarts of chili and chowder and about 500 Maine Needham sweets. Project GRACE and the town also put together curated programming on Scarborough’s local cable access channel during the event. Viewers can still tune in online to see some gorgeous local views filmed by local photographers, Dave Therrien and Stuart Smith, a jazzy performance by the MainePOPs, birding and nature programming, stories for kids, a peek at local gardens, and more. Find the streaming link on fuelrally.org.

The Fuel Rally brings in about two-thirds of the money Project GRACE spends on fuel assistance. Those who missed the rally and wish to give, may visit fuelrally.org or send a check to Project GRACE, PO Box 6846, Scarborough, ME 04070. One hundred percent of fuel fund donations go to fuel assistance. To everyone who rallied with us and gave to the fuel fund, the Town of Scarborough and Project GRACE extend their warmest and most heartfelt thanks.

The rally was made possible because of the teamwork and enthusiastic support from the Town of Scarborough, Scarborough Police and Fire, Community Services and Public Works, SEDCO and the Chamber of Commerce, Town Council, Scarborough Public Library.

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