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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 18, 2006 JCFC offers heating help for the needy By Robert Plain for the Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Firewood, a primary source of winter heat for many people, is a hot commodity this time of year. Low-income residents of Jackson County who are in need of energy assistance can find help from the Jackson County Fuel Committee. "We help people get firewood so they don't have to sacrifice other necessities to keep warm," said Ian Dooley, wood benefit coordinator for JCFC, an all-volunteer private membership group that helps people who can't afford to pay their heating bills. The group was formed about 30 years ago by the Jackson County Workers Benefit Council. In exchange for volunteering labor — either cutting or loading wood, or office work — JCFC will deliver wood to a client. "It's a system of reciprocity," Dooley said. Seasonally, the organization provides between 30 and 40 cords of wood to Jackson County residents. The wood comes from people who have an excess — sometimes it's a property owner in the city who took a dead tree down, sometimes it's an owner of a large tract who is doing some thinning. Advertisement "Most of our wood comes from private donors," said Randy Jones, JCFC operations manager. "When an arborist takes a tree down sometimes they call us to pick up the wood." Although firewood has fallen out favor among some people because of increasing air-quality restrictions, Jones said the organization still consistently receives requests for it — about five every week. Most clients, Jones said, are people who used to cut their own wood and no longer have either the land or the means to do so. "A lot of people have never bought wood before," Jones said, noting that many have burned plenty of it. "Most people who use it have no other options." He added that there are fewer and fewer firewood dealers in the area every season, and that firewood is getting equally as expensive as other types of heating fuels. "Energy rates, natural gas or wood, (have) a direct relation to what we do," Dooley said. "It's definitely a key factor in why we do what we do." In addition to providing firewood, JCFC helps people who have their utilities shut off in the winter and helps weatherize homes to protect against the elements. For assistance or more information on the fuel committee, call 488-2905. Robert Plain is a reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. Call 482-3456 or [email protected]. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com