Together for Lincoln receives grant

Online signups now available

[August 09, 2012]  Together for Lincoln has received a $10,000 grant from the Decatur-based Energy Assistance Foundation, according to Norm Newhouse, president of Together for Lincoln.

"Since we received the grant, we have received 37 applications for weatherization and about 40 additional applications for home improvement projects," said Newhouse. "If we want to complete all of these projects, it will take about $34,000. We're about halfway there."

One of the stipulations of the grant is that it can only be used on weatherization projects. Since Together for Lincoln became a 501(c)(3) organization earlier this year, it qualified for the grant.

The Energy Assistance Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1982 to provide home weatherization and heating assistance. Today, the foundation provides year-round heating and cooling assistance and home weatherization to customers of Ameren Illinois.

While the deadline for weatherization applications is now past, applications for general home improvement are still being accepted through Aug. 22. Applications are available at The Oasis Senior Center, State Bank of Lincoln's Wal-Mart location, partner churches or can be completed online at www.togetherforlincoln.com.

In its previous four service project days, Together for Lincoln has completed over 400 projects.

With the increase in weatherization projects, there will also be a higher demand for volunteers, especially those who are able to install windows. Volunteer duties range from carpentry to nursing home visitations and everything in between. Those wanting to sign up to volunteer may pick up an application at any of the above locations or can sign up completely online at Together for Lincoln's website.

The Together for Lincoln project day will be on a Saturday this year, Sept. 29. In addition to the project day, there will also be an interfaith worship service the following day, Sept. 30, at Lincoln Christian University's Hargrove Chapel. The service will begin at 7 p.m.

Those who wish to make a financial contribution to Together for Lincoln may do so by sending a check to Together for Lincoln, P.O. Box 501, Lincoln, IL 62656.

[Text from file received from Dustin Fulton]