PITTSFIELD – Lots of people are worried about their neighbors keeping warm this winter, Trudy Ferland said Wednesday, but Ferland is one that has put her concerns into action.

Ferland is the coordinator for 25 teams that will spread throughout the community on Saturday, Nov. 8, to help winterize homes.

The teams will be using kits provided by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension which include items such as caulking, foam insulation products, plastic and laths, weather stripping, and low-flow aerators for faucets and shower heads. The state is offering 2,000 kits and 25 are headed to Pittsfield, thanks to Ferland’s efforts.

Ferland first became concerned last summer. “In conversations with friends, the talk always came back to energy costs and how people are going to stay warm this winter,” she said. “The next question we asked ourselves was ‘What can we do?”‘

Once she learned of the winterizing kits, Ferland began telephoning local businesses, civic groups, churches and schools. Names of homes in need of winterizing were provided by the town office.

“Some places were very enthusiastic,” she said. “They told me they had been looking for a project.”

So far, volunteer teams will be staffed by employees from Cianbro Corp., the ARTS Club, Maine Central Institute, Somatex, Sebasticook Valley Hospital, the Pittsfield Democrats, C.M. Almy and SAD 53.

“The response has been incredible,” she said. “Everyone is worried about their neighbors and people want to help. This is a one-morning project at no cost, not a long-term commitment.”

Ferland said that teams can be as small as two people and all volunteers will be welcomed. Some of the larger companies, such as Cianbro and SAD 53 have promised several teams of workers. She is hoping that family groups and other businesses will come forward.

“I need to know by Nov. 1,” she said.

All volunteers will gather at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the First Universalist Church on Easy Street. They will have a short training session, pick up their kits and get the name and address of the home they will be winterizing.

Volunteers will be treated to lunch at the church after the work.

To sign up a team or volunteer, contact Ferland at 487-6523 or taferland@verizon.net.

bdnpittsfield@verizon.net

487-3187