PROVIDENCE – A crowd gathered in the light rain last Saturday morning to walk and raise money to support the launch of this year’s Keep the Heat On campaign. And while the weather was moderately warm, the cloud banks and falling leaves were reminders that, very soon, people with limited incomes will face desperate choices: Food or warmth? Medicine or heat? Much-needed children’s coats or warmth and heat?
In Lippitt Memorial Park, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin outlined the particular importance of this year's campaign in light of the current economic crisis.
"It's not terribly cold today, but we know in the very near future its is going to become very cold. This year, more than ever, people are going to need assistance to provide for some of the very basic necessities of life," he said.
Father Angelo N. Carusi, pastor of Blessed Sacrament parish in Providence, raised more than $800 for the walk from parishioners, friends and family. He said working in an urban parish has highlighted the great need many Rhode Islanders have for assistance.
"People are coming to the door looking for food, looking for heat assistance, looking for rent assistance, looking for any help they can get," he said. He added that he has already referred one family to Keep the Heat On for assistance, "and it's not even winter yet."
Peg Sheehy, a parishioner of St. Mary parish in Pawtucket, understands why the needs are so great this year. "I know there are a lot of people who are working hard, they have jobs and yet with all the expenses that they have it's not enough to pay all those heating bills," she said. Sheehy added that Rhode Island's high unemployment rate – 8.8 percent in September, the highest in the nation, according to a federal report – made the need for donations especially pressing this winter.
Five faculty members at St. Philomena School in Portsmouth raised $325 for the walk from their fellow teachers. Principal Donna Bettencourt-Glavin said the walk tied in with their school's mission.
“St. Philomena is run by the Sisters Faithful Companion of Jesus, and their charism is charity and giving to folks who need them," she said.
The principal noted that the school community does an outreach project every week, and that participating in the walk was a way for the schools teachers and staff to serve as role models for students. "I just think the walk is a really good visual for people, Catholic especially, showing their support for their fellow man," she said.
Last year, more than 580 individuals and organizations contributed $132,983 to the fund, far surpassing the $75,000 goal. Combined with a Catholic Charity Fund grant and a grant from an anonymous donor, a total of $282,983 was made available to assist more than 890 struggling Rhode Island households with their oil, natural gas and electric heating needs.
This year Bishop Tobin hopes that Rhode Islanders are able to raise even more, and during Saturday's walk he made a promise to those who donate. As a diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan he is often asked if he will convert to following the New England Patriots.
Not likely, but there is one possibility: "If this year we make $300,000 all together, I'll tell you what I'll do,” the Bishop vowed. “I'll take my Steeler banner down for awhile at my house and replace it with a Patriots banner, so it'll be a temporary conversion for me, but just for the sake of keeping the heat on," he told the cheering crowd.
Before embarking on the walk down Blackstone Boulevard, Bishop Tobin issued one final challenge to the crowd: "let's see if you can keep up with this old Steelers guy."
Keep the Heat On, formerly the Interfaith Dire Emergency Fund, is a resource established in 1978 by the state’s interfaith leadership. Responding to skyrocketing heating costs since 2005, Bishop Tobin renamed the effort Keep the Heat On, adding resources from the Diocese of Providence’s Catholic Charity Fund. “Keep the Heat On” is administered by the diocesan Office of Community Services and Advocacy and assists those in need throughout Rhode Island regardless of faith.
To make a donation to Keep the Heat On, send a check made payable to “Keep the Heat On” to 184 Broad Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, or visit www.heatri.com and use the secure web server for credit card donations. Donations are fully tax-deductible.
