FARMINGTON - Two local store clerks are helping to raise money to help others with winter heating needs.

Beth Neeley and Suzanne Jones, employees of Trask Jewelers, raised $170 in two weeks for the Ecumenical Heating Fund.

The fund provides emergency fuel assistance to people living in Franklin County. Area churches help raise money for the fund. It's administered by Western Maine Community Action.

Neeley's and Jones' employer, John Anderson, a member of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, involved the women with making signs for the church's July 4th hot dog project. Hot dogs were given away while donations for the heating fund were accepted.

Neither could attend the event but wanted to do something, Neeley said.

"We couldn't be there but we do have the time to sit and brainstorm," she said. As they tossed ideas around, the women decided to place mason jars found at yard sales for collections beside cash registers in area businesses.

When customers paid for an item, the clerks would ask if they would give their change to the fuel fund. When they explained what it was for, even tourists were generous, she added.

Besides Trask's effort, jars were left at Mainestone, Calico Patch, Mickey's Hallmark, Irvings Restaurant and the House of Pizza.

"People are selling jewelry left and right to come up with money for fuel," Neeley said, explaining how the jewelry store buys and resells jewelry. "We need to go back to the ways of the 1940s and 1950s and band together. ... The rest of the world is going by at a 150 mph pace, but we don't have to ride that ride. We can stop and go back to the way it should be ... neighbor helping neighbor."

The women hope to raise enough money for 100 gallons, roughly $450.

Pastor Susan Crane of Henderson Memorial who accepts donations for the fund expressed her appreciation for the women's efforts Wednesday.

"People are amazing to care so much about their neighbors," she said.

The fund helped 83 families in Franklin County last year. Most received only 50 gallons because of the cost and need, she said.

The fund has $6,848, up from $1,900 on June 30.

The July 4th hot dog project was followed by donations from people, a gift from the Rotary Club and the money raised by the jars at the stores.

Donations may be sent to the ECU Heat Fund, P.O. Box 147, Farmington, ME 04938 and checks made be made out to ECU Heat Fund, she added.