FARMINGTON — Heat Dance 6, held at University of Maine at Farmington on Feb. 3, raised $11,900 toward fuel assistance for area residents in need, organizers said.

The Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund (also known as ECU Heat) provides fuel assistance for homes in Franklin County throughout the heating season (November through March). The program is called “50 for $50,” because applicants receive 50 gallons of fuel for a share of only $50 in the form of a money order payable to the fuel vendor. The balance due on hundreds of fuel deliveries each winter is paid by ECU Heat.

Money is raised through special events, such as the COIG Holiday Concert in December and the Heat Dance held in early February each year. Other support comes from churches, businesses, service organizations, United Way and individual donors.

By the night of the dance on Feb. 3, 218 homes had already been served.

The “50 for $50” Program provides whatever primary fuel is used in the home of the applicant — oil, kerosene, propane, pellets or firewood. Applications are available at Western Maine Community Action in East Wilton through the end of March.

ECU Heat recognized many who made Heat Dance 6 a success: Shepherd’s Pie band for donating fabulous dance music and the Sandy River Charitable Foundation for offering a $5,000 grant. Revenue minus expenses for Heat Dance 6 came to $6,900. With the addition of the grant, ECU-Heat will now have $11,900 to help with more fuel deliveries in March, and again next November and December.

A new feature at Heat Dance 6 was a raffle for fuel. Two vendors each offered a half-cord of firewood for the raffle. Two winning tickets were drawn by Donald Burnell and Bill Crandall. Crandall donated his prize back to ECU Heat.

ECU Heat is a ministry of the Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry and a Community Partner of the United Way of the Tri-Valley. Donations are accepted at ECU Heat year round and may be mailed to P.O. Box 147, Farmington, ME 04938. All donations are tax deductible.

Dance band Shepherd’s Pie performed at the Heat Dance on Feb. 3 in Farmington. The band members are, from left, Chris Yardley, Kat Poulson, Patty Schoen, Jodie Gunther, Jon Abell and Tim Wallace.

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