Sumter's Fireside Fund still helps during chilly times as winter turns to spring

The cold weather is almost gone, but not quite. Mornings and evenings are still “chilly,” forcing all of us to dive deep into the practice of layering as well as being confronted with the universal question, "What did I do with my jacket?” It’s not hard to understand why some people are still using the heat in their homes to stay comfortable. As we pass through the last few days of winter, even “chilly” temperatures can warrant the inevitable yell that echoes across the house, “Go bump the heat on!”

Last week, one of our neighbors came into the office to ask for help to heat her home. She explained that the cost to fill her propane tank was simply more than her budget could bear and that it was still too “chilly” to try to go without turning on the heat. Ms. J is a 79-year-old senior living by herself on about $1,400 a month of hard-earned Social Security income and $23 in food stamps. She lives in the country, out in Rembert, and drives a 13-year-old car. She is also diabetic and needs a walker to help with her mobility. She does have family, but they are not a reliable source of love, compassion or financial help.

Her interview revealed that she is not at all irresponsible with her money; it is simply difficult to budget such a huge expense. Ms. J’s propane tank could be filled for $730. Unfortunately, as funding wanes with warmer temperatures, we have to have more discernment on the amount of assistance we can provide. In this case, we simply did not have the available money to help with the entire amount.

We were, however, able to provide her with a voucher for $400. With warmer temperatures arriving as we speak, the hope is that she will have enough propane to keep her warm and toasty until the “chilly” is gone. Ms. J was extremely grateful for what she was given and thanked us profusely.

We here at Sumter United Ministries are always humbled and amazed at the generosity of our community. The Fireside Fund donations continue to allow us the honor of providing heating assistance to those in need, helping us stave off the “chilly” for at least one more day.

Heather Collins is client services supervisor for Sumter United Ministries' Crisis Relief Ministry.

ABOUT THE FIRESIDE FUND

Each winter since 1969, The Sumter Item has run a fundraiser to collect money from its readers to be donated entirely to Sumter United Ministries.

The faith-based nonprofit provides emergency and life-rebuilding services ranging from food, shelter and clothing to final notice bill pay, access to educational opportunities and a medical clinic. The Sumter Item recognizes and appreciates every ministry their staff and volunteers run, but the Fireside Fund was created to focus on one area that becomes critical for the next few months: heat.

Every penny donated will directly help people who live in Sumter by preventing heating services from being turned off, allowing access to propane or other heating sources and, when enough funding is available and the need is there, funding long-term housing fixes to make homes more efficient.

IN HONOR OF
Each year, The Item's leadership team picks a person who has recently passed away to which the year's campaign will be dedicated. The person honored is someone who made a positive impact in the community, whether through service or philanthropy, business or community leadership.

If you think about the impact the Rev. William Samuel Randolph imparted in terms of civic service, entrepreneurialism, faith leadership and human rights, he checked all the boxes.

The now-late uncle of current Sumter City Councilman James B. Blassingame moved to Sumter to attend Morris College. His legacy is as a pastor of First Baptist Missionary Church for 47 years, owner and operator of Randolph General Construction Co. and city councilman from 1987 to 2008, including mayor pro tempore for 19 of those years. His civil rights legacy is the 1961 S.C. Supreme Court case that, while he was arrested 11 times in the fight for racial equality, was pivotal in charges being dropped for several civil rights activists.

Randolph died Sept. 17 at the age of 88.

New donations as of March 5: Dunlap Properties, L.P., $1,000; Susan Wollmann, $100.