People right in our midst struggle to keep financially above water. A severe winter adds to their burden. Often they must choose between keeping warm and eating, filling prescriptions, buying children’s clothes and other necessities.

Local organization WindowDressers manufactures high-quality inserts for windows that significantly reduce heat loss through drafty windows. An average family in an average Maine house can save fuel expenses of $325+ per heating season in an average winter (and that was based on 2014 figures!), and $3,250 over the life of the inserts.

Few charitable projects have as large, as real and as immediate benefits: savings of almost three times the cost of the investment in a single heating season -- and almost 20-30 times over the life of the investment -- are rare indeed.

Add to that the environmental savings in CO2 emissions resulting from the reduction of heat loss -- about 220 lbs per house, 29,700 lbs per season for all beneficiaries, and 297,000 lbs over the life of the Project -- and the size of the Project benefits is almost unique for a neighborhood project.

See below for details on the different ways to participate with Window Dressers, by ordering inserts for your home, helping others to get window inserts for their homes, and helping to build the inserts.

Window Inserts Available to Order and Helpers Needed

Parishioners are reminded that they can order window inserts from Window Dressers and have them in place before the heating season begins. These affordable inserts can cut fuel bills by up to 20% and keep your house warmer. Each insert costs about $2.10 per square foot which covers the cost of materials.  The labor to build them relies on volunteers which allows the costs to be kept very low.  

If you are interested in ordering inserts visit the Window Dressers website (www.windowdressers.org) or call 207- 230-9902.  You may also contact parishioner Dianne Smith for more info at 207-322-4443 or dcrjsmith@hotmail.com.

This program also provides a wonderful volunteer opportunity for parishioners.  The Window Dressers facility at the Lincoln Center in Rockland needs volunteers now to help measure windows and will need volunteers from September through December to build them. If you are interested, please use the contacts above.  Here is a great opportunity to meet neighbors, enjoy working together to help neighbors and friends stay warm for many winters to come.