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Health & Fitness

Bringing Holiday Warmth to Ridgefield

The Ridgefield Social Services Department was met with a nice surprise just before the holidays arrived.  All season long the department has been helping seniors and families stay warm and assisting them with the application process for energy assistance programs.  In the 2012-13 winter season the Department of Social Services assisted almost 140 households to register for help.  However, while this program is able to help many people remain warm through the winter; for those who are not working, underemployed or living on a fixed income; this program barely scratches the surface of the true energy cost for these families and individuals to stay warm through the entire winter.

This is where a local refuse and recycling collection company, All American Waste LLC stepped in.  The Social Services Department was contacted by a field representative from the company who expressed their interest in making a difference both this holiday season and beyond.  After reviewing the options for how a company might sponsor a program through the Social Services Department, they selected to make a donation to the Social Service Department Senior Energy Fund.  All American Waste surprised the department by making a generous donation to be used toward keeping Ridgefield Seniors warm through the winter.  In particular they expressed interest in helping seniors who heat with natural gas, which accounts for a large number of seniors who live in affordable or subsidized housing in Ridgefield.

There are well over 100 affordable and subsidized senior housing units in town.  This donation could easily impact the lives of twenty or more senior households, assuring they stay warm and safe through the cold winter months.

Social Services is very fortunate to have such a generous donation from All American Waste LLC. It is only through the generosity of concerned citizens and companies that we are able to meet the needs of Ridgefield residents and keep our most at risk residents warm through the winter.

If you or someone you know needs energy assistance this winter, please have them contact Social Services at:
Tony Phillips, LCSW 203-431-2777
Karen Gaudian, Municipal Agent 203-431-2754

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