REAS FOUNDATION PRESS CONFERENCE
Notes for the Media
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2008
SENIOR CENTER 10:00 A.M.
REAS is Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors
Sturbridge people helping Sturbridge people
CONTACT INFORMATION:
REAS Foundation
Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors Foundation
P.O. Box 737
Fiskdale, MA 01518
508.434.4614
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Saloio
Speaking at this morning’s press conference:
Det. Mark Saloio, REAS Chief Community Outreach Officer (Spokesperson)
Mr. James Malloy, Vice Chair REAS Board of Directors, Sturbridge Town Administrator
Ms. Ginger Peabody, Chair, Stubridge Zoning Board of Appeals
Indicators Concerning Need
Statistics source: CNN, June 13, 2008
• The index for fuel oil rose 10.4% in May and soared 64% over the 12 months.
• The gasoline index rose 5.7% in May and surged 20.8% on a year-over-year basis
• The index for natural gas rose 5.6% in May, and was up 16.5% over the last year.
• Electricity costs also increased, but less dramatically, edging up 0.9% in May,
and rising 5.8% over the last 12 months.
• The price of food also pushed up overall costs. Food costs increased 0.3% in May,
and jumped 5.1% during the 12 months ending in May. Milk prices increased 10.2%
over the 12 months, despite slipping 0.7% in May.
• As these indexes continue to climb, the costs of all associated goods and services
climb just as dramatically
• Taxes, Fees, and Services both nationally and locally have risen, in many cases
dramatically outpacing incomes.
• What has not increased in any manner consistent with these elevating costs is the
income of our seniors on fixed incomes.
• As such, many seniors today are near or already at the breaking point.
Our Mission
— Energy Assistance
• Heating
• Cooling
• Electric
— Education
• Energy Conservation
• Energy Efficiency
• Whole House Audits
• Available Assistance Programs
General current and long-range goals
• Establish Financial and Educational Energy Assistance Programs for Seniors
that will deliver services in confidence and with dignity to each recipient.
• Raise public awareness
• Identify and develop program support infrastructure
• Identify Sturbridge seniors in need
• Develop & implement awards assistance program
• Maintain follow-up support program with/for award recipients
• Raise a minimum of $20,000 in the first year
Thinking that is informing our developing methodology
• We seek to develop a flexible approach to determination and distribution based
on demonstrated need as opposed to income-only.
• Income does not always reflect the full financial condition
• Medical challenges
• Other demonstrated needs can quickly erode discretionary income
• We seek to provide a full-menu approach to services, combining financial assistance
where need is demonstrated with educational counseling/awareness
• Identify and coordinate with other services available to Sturbridge seniors to
reduce duplication and ensure maximum efficiency of service delivery.
Ways that we plan to raise funds
• Planned through a team of Sturbridge volunteers
• Activities and events to include:
— REAS awareness-building and donor activities through local businesses
and in concert with various local activities. (Gas raffle, etc.)
— Donor events throughout the year, including wine tasting and a springtime
donor recognition event
— A Sturbridge Town Variety Show in late-winter.
Two significant Donor Drives — Each beginning today, July 15, 2008
• $10K Circle of Friends.
— 1,000 Sturbridge families or individuals donate $10.00 each = $10K ($10,000)
— Launches today, July 15, ends November 15 in time for winter heating season.
— Watch for $10K Circle of Friends coupons in The Sturbridge Times Magazine
that can be mailed in with donations.
— Donor coupons will also be available at various locations throughout town.
— Donors can pledge and pay online at reasfoundation.org.
• $10K Circle of Businesses, sponsored by Sterling Engineering.
— A challenge to Sturbridge-area businesses.
— Jennifer Morrison, president of Sterling Engineering, has announced that her
company will donate up to $1,000 to REAS in the form of 10% matches
for every business/corporate donation made between today, July 15, and
November 15 in time for winter heating season.
Announcement of Significant Kick-Off Gifts
• Sterling Engineering $1000.00 corporate challenge
• Tasse Fuel Company $1000.00
• Sturbridge Police Patrolmen’s Association $500.00
REAS Partnerships
• Sturbridge Police Patrolman’s Association
• Sturbridge Police Department
• Sturbridge Council on Aging
• The Friends of Sturbridge Seniors
• Sterling Engineering
• Shaw’s Supermarket
• The Sturbridge Times Magazine
• Tasse Fuel Corporation
• The Friends of Sturbridge Seniors
• Southbridge Savings Bank
• Yankee Spirits
Some of Our Committees
Board of Directors
Vote to authorize criteria committee’s recommendation
Criteria Committee
Research, review, and recommend applicant criteria
Members
— Jim Malloy - Chair
— Kay Malloy
— Dennis McCurdy
— Barbara Search
— Leigh Tasse
Awards Committee
Review, prioritize, authorize
Three person committee charged with review and determination of awards
Financial information reviewed in complete confidentiality by this committee only
– Awards Distribution
Single signature requirement
— Kay Malloy
— Jennifer Morrison
— Thomas Creamer
Goal is immediate distribution of funds once need is identified
— Oversight
— Executive Director and Chairman of the Board
— Quarterly review of award distribution by the full board
— Financial records not open to full board to ensure privacy of
information provided by applicants.
Our Staff
EXECUTIVE BOARD
• Thomas Creamer – Executive Director
• Scott Garieri – Chairman of the REAS Board of Directors; owner Garieri Jewelers;
Sturbridge selectman
• Patrick Babcock – Chief Operations Officer; partner, Newsotronic.com
• Paul Carr — Chief Marketing Officer, owner, Carr Advertising; Sturbridge Times Magazine
• Jeff Chase, Esq. — Chief Counsel
• Kay Malloy CPA – Chief Financial Officer
• Jennifer Morrison – Chief Administration Officer; President, Sterling Engineering;
Chair – Sturbridge Planning Board
• Mark Saloio – Chief Community Outreach Officer; Media contact person; Detective –
Sturbridge Police Department; Sturbridge Patrolmen’s Association Representative
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
• Mary Blanchard – Sturbridge Selectman
• Rebecca Blanchard – Sturbridge Resident
• Jeff Bonja – Sturbridge Resident
• Stacy Courtney – Sturbridge Resident
• Tania Laliberte – Sturbridge Resident & Business Owner
• Jim Malloy – Vice Chair of the REAS Board of Directors
— Chairman of the Criteria Committee
— Sturbridge Town Administrator
• Dennis McCurdy – Sturbridge resident; owner, McCurdy Insurance Group
• Bill Muir – Sturbridge Resident
• Ginger Peabody – Financial Officer; Chairman of the Sturbridge ZBA/Member Council on Aging
• Barbara Search – Sturbridge resident; Director, Sturbridge Council on Aging
• Jeff Tasse – Sturbridge resident; owner, Tasse Fuel Corporation
• Leigh Tasse – Sturbridge resident; Tasse Fuel Corporation
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