MADISON COUNTY- In an effort to help local families struggling financially to improve the energy-efficiency of their homes and lower their winter heating costs, United Way of Madison County is hosting its 10th Annual “Special Edition” Operation Weatherization event this Friday and Saturday. This volunteer event aimed to provide free home weatherization services to area residents, has approximately 150 volunteers of all ages assisting with simple weatherization tasks such as caulking, weather stripping, wrapping water heaters and plastic-wrapping interior windows. Over 80 homes will be weatherized by 25 different teams throughout Anderson, Alexandria, Elwood, and Pendleton.
“High energy bills during the rough, cold months of winter are exceptionally difficult for struggling families, the elderly and disabled,” said Kim Rogers-Hatfield, United Way of Madison County’s Vice President of Operations. “The need to help these individuals reduce their upcoming heating bills is great. We’re working to keep those bills manageable so that they don’t face the possibility of having their heat shut off during the winter.”
This year marks the 10th year for the volunteer event that has helped weatherize nearly 1,000 homes during its time. To celebrate the 10th anniversary, United Way has created a “Special Edition” version of the event for this year. This year teams will do even more at each home including winterizing door thresholds, applying plastic to windows outside, raking yards and providing a blanket to each home.
New this year is a project partnership with Liberty Christian School. On Friday, Liberty Christian’s 8th grade students, teachers and parent volunteers will weatherize 7 -10 homes in the area surrounding Liberty Christian High School. The project will serve as one of Liberty Christian’s service efforts impacting their neighbors.
On Saturday, additional teams representing a wide variety of local businesses, organizations, schools and individuals will launch from Alexandria, Elwood, Pendleton and Anderson. In Anderson, Operation Weatherization will focus on the Belmont neighborhood and surrounding areas. Volunteer teams will launch from the Belmont Park area in the morning and then return later in day for lunch served by members of the Anderson Police Department.
The volunteer event is presented by Vectren Foundation in partnership with Anderson Community Development and additionally sponsored by Reflectix Inc., and Serve Indiana.