By CHARLES OWENS
WELCH — The release of more than 4,000 gallons of free fuel oil will help to keep several McDowell County families warm this winter.
With assistance from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, more than 4,000 gallons of free fuel oil has been delivered to eligible families in McDowell County, Randal Johnson, executive director of the Council of Southern Mountains, said.
“This assistance is a God send to those we serve and we have worked our hearts out to help at least some of our eligible neighbors get some heating oil,” Johnson said. “We must thank the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity Director, Edwin Harper and his staff: Arley Johnson, Bob Scott, Melanie Taylor and Ed Teter, as they provided the assistance to help us get the fuel oil to those in need.”
Since the council sponsored a home heating crisis assistance forum in Welch last August, Johnson said the agency staff has been busy working to help communities and eligible families with their home heating needs this winter.
Johnson said the 4,000 gallons of heating oil has already been delivered to several eligible families.
“We identified the people that we had called — mainly from our forum we had this past summer — who are trying to get ready for winter and desperately needed help,” Johnson said. “It was delivered free. We hope it will help them out.”
Johnson said heating oil was delivered through an agreement reached with D & B Furnace Repair and Oil Delivery of Princeton. Although all of the free oil has been delivered, Johnson said the council continues look for ways to help families and communities prepare for the winter.
“There is just so many people in need,” Johnson said. “I know there’s been a decrease in oil prices, but with unemployment going up, and all of the problems facing our economy, there is just a great need.”
Johnson said the council also received a donation Friday from the Dominion Resources Foundation for $10,000 to help with related heating assistance programs this coming winter.
— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com
