The INDEPENDENT, November 16, 2011 Power of the People By W. Marc Farmer, General Manager, West Oregon Electric Cooperative Energy Assistance Gets a Boost Thanks to Five Star Builders, Oregon Heat, the Staff and Board of Directors of WOEC, and a coming visit from Santa Claus, energy assistance available for members of West Oregon Electric Cooper- ative just got better. Generous donations have increased the amount of funds that will be available to our members. Santa Claus will again visit WOEC to help raise funds for our “Care to Share” energy assistance program. Thanks to a gener- ous donation by Five Star Builders the first 50 people will get the initial $5 photo FREE. Santa will be available for keepsake pho- tographs on December 8th, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and on the 9th and 10th from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the new WOEC office. These special photographs are full color and make great gifts for the holidays. They are the same price for individual, family, group photos. All proceeds raised from the sale of photographs will go directly to help families in the Co-op service area who need as- sistance with their electric bills. For more information, call the WOEC office at 503-429-3021 and ask for Sarah or Kellie. Oregon Heat had a very successful fund raising event at their annual fund raising banquet on October 1st. This year we set a new high raising funds for energy assistance. The WOEC Board of Directors donated $5,000 this year to Oregon Heat which goes to help our members. The Co-op will be including envelopes in one of the upcoming billings so that individual members of our Co-op can donate to the Oregon Heat program. The dollars do- nated to Oregon Heat will be spent on Co-op members only, so you know that your donation will definitely go to help out a friend, family member, neighbor, or other family or individual in need of energy assistance. You can truly be the difference in whether or not someone in need has lights and heat this winter. For those of our members who find themselves in a difficult sit- uation and are unable to pay their electric bill, please call the West Oregon Electric Cooperative office before you get discon- nected for non-pay. We would like to help by making payment arrangements with you. If you are disconnected, the costs in- crease and you will have to pay all past due amounts up front to get your power back on. Oregon Heat, St. Vincent De Paul, and WOEC’s Care to Share energy assistance funds are available to qualifying members. If you are in need of assistance paying your electric bill, please call Mary at 503-366-8014. For those members who are able to help others who are in need, Oregon Heat envelopes will be provided in upcoming WOEC billings. Please donate to help other West Oregon Elec- tric Co-op members. If you are on a fixed or limited income and need help paying your electric bill, the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) may be your answer. LIEAP funds are used to help pay electric, oil, wood, natural gas or propane heating bills. Eligibility is based on the number of people and total gross in- come within a household. Gross income is money from all sources before taxes and other deductions. To qualify, a house- hold must meet federal income guidelines. A list of utilities, state and local social service agencies, com- munity and charitable organizations, and other resources, are on the Department of Energy’s web site at www.ore gon.gov/energy, or call 1-800-221-8035. To learn more about the LIEAP or to schedule an appointment, call one of these numbers: • Columbia County, 503-397-4951 • Clatsop County, 503-325-1400 • Washington County, 503-648-6646 • Yamhill County, 503-472-0457. Page 13 Only 38 days to Christmas! Please support the advertisers who make your community paper possible & shop local. For the best service, selection & value, Go to the SOURCE… THE MOST RELIABLE BRAND BRANDSOURCE ® $ $ 549 Frigidaire ® 18.2 Cu Ft Top Mount Refrigerator • Store-More™ Organizational System • Clear Dairy Door • Full-width Freezer Rack 549 $ 599 Frigidaire Affinity ® 4.0 Cu. Ft . Capacity, Front Load Washer Frigidaire Affinity ® 7.0 Cu. Ft.Capacity, Front Load Dryer • 7 Wash Cycles • Vibration Control System • TimeWise™ Technology, • DrySense ™ Technology • Fits-More ™ Dryer • TimeWise™ Technology FAQE7011LW FAFW4011LW FFHT1814LW 12 Months Financing Available $ 399 Subject to credit approval $ 249 Frigidaire ® Built-In Dishwasher Frigidaire ® Electric Range • Ready Select ® Controls • Store-More™ Storage Drawer • Timed Cook Option • Tall Tub Design • Ready-Select ™ Controls • Fits Up to 12 Place Settings FBD2400KB FFEF3011LW Store Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30 - 5:30 Saturday 8:30 - 5:00 Serving the local community for over 65 years 2008 Main Street • Forest Grove • 503-357-6011 Shop from home at www.vandykeappliance.com