Dear Friends,

What a way to start off the year! We’ve gone from mild to wild, seeing huge changes in the weather from one week to the next. I hope that you and yours have stayed safe, happy, and warm through it all.

Last year, we made our vision “Power for All.” We showed our friends, supporters, partners, and neighbors that the need for energy assistance exists all the way across the state – even in places where you might think everyone is doing well. We brought awareness of the issue to communities that had never thought about it before.

This year, we are shifting our focus to the growing need for assistance among Oregon’s senior population. I’m proud to report that the Board of Directors has even designated a special strategic fund for this work, which will allow us to partner with additional social service agencies who serve the aged.

We are making seniors a focus for a number of reasons, which I think can best be explained with a story.

Jim and Cindy are both 70 years old. For more than 35 years they’ve lived in the home where they raised their family. It’s a well-built house, but like so many, it needs a bit more attention – particularly the windows and furnace. With their children grown and looking after families of their own, Jim and Cindy thought they were well positioned to enjoy retirement. However, Jim’s mother, in her late 90s, took ill several months ago. Not wanting to place her in a nursing home, they have been caring for her themselves.

This has put Jim and Cindy in a financial crunch. While Medicaid has covered most of Jim’s mother’s extensive bills, the cost of operating her medical equipment while maintaining a comfortable room temperature increased their utility bills substantially. Unable to keep up, they were in arrears and facing a potential cut-off.

We are helping families like Jim and Cindy’s thanks to your support. These are just two of the senior Oregonians who are doing their best to look after their own. Will you help us assist them so they can remain in their homes? We all have a role to play in helping those who’ve helped us.

-Brian Allbritton, Oregon Energy Fund Executive Director

DOWNLOAD THE SPRING 2018 NEWSLETTER

We are thrilled to welcome Bob Walsh of Walsh Trucking and Daniel Huggett of West Oregon Electric Cooperative to the Oregon Energy Fund Board of Directors this year.

Bob Walsh is the second generation owner/operator of Walsh Trucking in Troutdale, Oregon; his shipping company employs over 400 people in Oregon and Idaho and is a long time participant in OEF’s oil donation program.

Daniel Huggett is a Finance & Administration Manager at West Oregon Electric Cooperative (WOEC) with over thirty years of experience in accounting and finance. Last year, he supported OEF in our first bill round-up program with the Vernonia-based WOEC.

We are excited bring their experience and passion to support OEF as board members.

Once again Salvador Molly’s turned up the heat this past February with their annual fundraiser for Oregon Energy Fund! During the month of February, Salvador Molly’s donated $1 for every order of their famously spicy habanero cheese fritters, otherwise known as their “Great Balls of Fire.” Local spice enthusiasts were invited to participate in the King/Queen of Heat Competition, which concluded with a new 2018 King of Heat, King Charles, who won his crown by eating thirty Great Balls of Fire. The fundraiser also featured a friendly competition between our utility partners – Portland General Electric’s team claimed victory by eating the largest number of fritters.

Missed out on the fun this year? While you’re waiting for next year’s competition, pay a visit to Salvador Molly’s to try out their global cuisine (and maybe a Great Ball of Fire if you’re feeling brave!).