Heat For Heroes: Warming The Homes Of Wartime Veterans

WESTPORT — With cold temperatures just around the corner, Connecticut veterans in need of assistance this winter can look forward to some relief from their heating bills thanks to Fairfield County-based Economy Fuel, a low-cost energy company that serves New Haven and Fairfield Counties. Benefiting Connecticut’s Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund, established in 1919 to help needy wartime veterans and their families make ends meet during difficult economic times, Economy Fuel is launching Heat For Heroes, a statewide program designed to keep veterans warm this winter.

The public can nominate veterans at www.HeatForHeroes.com by submitting an essay describing, in 500 words or less, why their veteran candidate deserves to win up to $1,500 of free home heating oil from Economy Fuel this winter. The four-week contest runs through Friday, October 28. The winner will be announced on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11. 

Connecticut residents will have another opportunity to help veterans across the state with their heating bills when they purchase Heat For Heroes branded merchandise, including camo T-shirts and caps, as well as Heat For Heroes wrist bands, at www.HeatForHeroes.com and at selected home Bridgeport Sound Tigers games, with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund.

“The men and women who have served our country deserve our thanks each and every day,” says Mike Gill, managing director of Economy Fuel. “Leaving these heroes out in the cold is not an option. We feel it is our duty to ensure that their homes are warm, and are grateful that Connecticut’s Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund is there to help.”

Founded in 1975, Economy Fuel is a full service heating and cooling business that has served Fairfield and New Haven County residents for over 35 years. 

The Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund (SSMF) is an agency of the State of Connecticut established in 1919 to assist needy wartime veterans and their families. The agency is administered by The American Legion in accordance with the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes, Sections 27-138 and 27-140, and is governed under the Bylaws of the American Legion Department of Connecticut.