A local group is making it its mission to reach out into the community this holiday season, offering assistance which may save local residents money on their energy bills.
The Chautauqua Lake Area Men of Integrity, a cross-denominational Christian-outreach group, is available to help people who receive the energy-saving kits provided by the New York Power Authority and distributed by the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities.
The kits include an assortment of items from plastic window treatments and weather stripping to water-saving shower heads and compact-fluorescent lightbulbs.
Charlie Hodges, a member of the group, said the project is their first community-outreach effort and the group is hoping the community calls on them.
''We identified a need in the community and are working to help these people out,'' Hodges said. ''We are a group of Christian men dedicated to encouraging and empowering men in our area to boldly stand up for the Lord in our lives and community. This project is just one way we can help meet that goal.''
Becky Robbins, BPU communications coordinator, said the BPU is supportive of the group and the work they are doing.
''It is really thoughtful of them to consider helping people install the items in these kits,'' she said. ''Although it might not seem hard to install a shower head, you never know what you're replacing and some people may have problems physically doing it. I know the weather stripping can be difficult to install so its great that they are out there helping out.''
The free kits are part of a program through the New York Power Authority to help low-income families who are residential electric customers of the BPU with energy costs during the winter months.
NYPA officials estimate the kits can save a household as much as $200 per year on energy bills.
BPU customers who are eligible for the free kits must qualify for the low-income Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, but need not receive HEAP to obtain the kit. All BPU customers who receive food stamps or supplemental security income qualify for the kit.
Eligibility is determined by the number of people in a household and the monthly gross income.
One-person households with a monthly gross income of $1,943 are eligible, while two-person households with a gross income limit of $2,567 are eligible. Three-person households are eligible if their monthly gross income is $3,172 or less, while four-person households with a gross income of $3,776 or less are eligible. Five-person households with a monthly gross income of $4,380 or less are eligible, as are six-person households with a monthly gross income of $4,984.
BPU customers who are in danger of having their electric service shut off for non-payment are also eligible.
In order to claim the weatherization kit, customers must go to the BPU's office and fill out a short form.
The kits are available to both renters and homeowners but only one kit per electric customer will be made available through the program.
The BPU's customer service office is located at 92 Steele St. and is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Hodges said the group has mobilized and along with its leader, Pastor Leecroft Clark from the Healing Word Church, is prepared to respond to calls for service.
''We are very anxious to hear from folks in the community as we have several teams of guys on hand ready to work,'' he said. ''We encourage people not to be shy and to call us. This is something that is good for both homeowners and renters, as well as the environment and the community.''
To schedule an appointment with the Chautauqua Lake Area Men of Integrity for free assistance, call Hodges at Christ First United Methodist Church at 664-5803.