As I sit here writing in my office, I'm under a blanket, I have a space heater running, and the thermostat says 70. So yes, I'm one of those women who is always cold. From the tips of my fingers on down to my toes, I am always cold.
So, it's especially upsetting when a big winter storm knocks out the power. Remember a few years ago, a huge ice storm blanketed most of the region in darkness. And what is at first really exciting — cuddling under blankets, playing cards by candlelight, etc. — becomes really tiresome as days wear on. I know friends of mine who were getting really cranky — like call BGE (Baltimore Gas & Electric) every 10 minutes kind of cranky. It wasn't pleasant to witness, but I understood it; power is a necessity of life, as much as water, food and wine (OK, maybe not wine, but you get the idea).
Now, for those of us like me, who have more than enough, electricity is relegated to that dusty corner of neglect where all necessities live. For my crowd, necessities are never noticed, never thanked and always brushed over for "more important things" — until there is some kind of impact point. This impact point could be a storm or it could be the dismantling of a marriage, a loss of a job, a death in the family. And then, all of the sudden, we're crouched in that corner seeking our necessities — begging them to come back to us.
When I was initially approached by the Fuel Fund of Maryland, the thought of joining a board of directors well before I thought I would in my career was exciting. Problem was I had never heard of this particular organization. There was some shaky recollection of a donation envelope when I used to receive a paper utility bill, but that was all I could muster. I could guess at the mission of the group, but I didn't understand it.
So why would I join the board of directors for an organization I had never heard of? After all, it's no small time or financial commitment, and I had plenty of other charity work already on my plate. (Maybe you've been at similar crossroads in your life?)
Well, one reason was my line of work — marketing. I saw a need that I could specifically help meet: helping promote the Fuel Fund to people like me (under 40, Baltimore city dwellers) who can relate to the cause and get involved in new and creative ways. Not only is this demographic leading the way in change in Baltimore neighborhoods, but this group is also eager to donate time and money to local causes. This energy (pun intended!) is vital to organizations like the Fuel Fund.
The second reason was because I began to understand what the Fuel Fund does for the Maryland community. It's not just about assisting in bill payment; it's about stepping up during a family's crisis and helping them with a basic need. It's about keeping kids at home to do their school work, cooking a family dinner and/or providing for elderly parents. In extreme weather (hot and cold), it is even about keeping people alive. Like so many things in life, the ripple effect is immense.
Families who receive help always pay as much of their bills as they are able. The portion that is not affordable is usually divided among the customer, Fuel Fund donations (Every $1 equals $3 in assistance for a person or family in need) and bill credits allowed by the utility. In this way, the Fuel Fund supplements the resources of each family. Likewise, the Fuel Fund also refers applicants to government-funded programs operating out of the state Office of Home Energy Programs. Often a family receives adequate assistance from these programs, but if they are still in need, the Fuel Fund helps. On top of that, the Fuel Fund runs a program called Watt Watchers to ensure that those in need get the education required to make real, lasting changes to their energy consumption.
So why did I join this particular board? Turns out, it came down to three simple reasons: I hate being cold, I love marketing, and I want to be there for my neighbors when they need me.
Jody Costa is director of marketing at Barcoding Inc. and a member of the board of directors of the Fuel Fund of Maryland. Her email is jody.costa@barcoding.com.