Warm hearts key to heating homes in Seacoast town

Group hopes to raise $50K

KITTERY, Maine — Although the weather is still warm, the members of the Fuel & More heating assistance program are already focused on the coming winter.

The organization’s major fund-raiser, the seventh annual River Dance, takes place Saturday, Sept. 6, and will set the stage for all of its fund-raising efforts.

Jeff Gordon of Fuel & More said the group’s goal is to raise $50,000 a year for fuel assistance, and the River Dance brings in about $15,000 of that funding. The remainder comes from individuals and businesses, he said.

All of the money goes to help Kittery families who make too much money to qualify for general assistance but find themselves unable to juggle all bills and fuel costs.

“This is for working people who find themselves behind the eight ball and can’t get assistance from the town,” Gordon said.

Fuel & More served about 90 families last year, which was up from the previous year because it was such a cold winter.

“And we’re prepared to do that again,” he said.

Families do have to go through an application process. They receive 100 gallons of oil or its equivalent in propane or kerosene, Gordon said.

The River Dance is held at the Weathervane Lobster in the Rough on Badger’s Island. Owner Terry Gagner donates the restaurant for the evening.

According to Gordon, food is being provided by many local restaurants and businesses including Loco Coco’s, Golden Harvest, Seaport Fish, AJ’s Pizza, Badger’s Island Pizza and Terra Cotta Pasta.

The evening is sponsored by Leeward Industries Inc., which owns and operates Leeward Landing Thrift Shop in York.

Ben Baldwin and the Big Note will provide music for the evening.

Gordon said the evening is always fun, adding the event helps a good cause.

“We’ve really helped so many people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to stay warm,” he said.

Tickets: Weathervane Lobster in the Rough, People’s United Bank, RiverRun Bookstore, Kittery Community Center, TD Bank and Sugarz Salon, Kittery; Ceres Bakery and Zev Yoga, Portsmouth

For information: www.fuelandmore.com