Catholic Charities agency, Knights, provide clients with firewood
By CECILE SAN AGUSTIN
Reporter
FRANKLIN - In the midst of winter, diocesan Catholic Charities CFCS Partnership for Social Services Family Center here knows how expensive it its to keep the homes of their clients warm.
Because of the high cost of oil, gas and firewood, it began a project to help clients who have requested firewood to warm up their homes or cook their food. So as part of the agency's utility assistance program, it has been able to provide firewood for families.
"It's a lot of helping hands bringing warmth to people in need," said Sister of Sorrowful Mother Thomasina Gebhard, director of the center.
The project began last fall when Sister Gebhard commissioned Knights of Columbus Marquette Council 588 based in Sparta with members who hail from Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Sparta, St. Thomas of Aquin Parish in Ogdensburg and Immaculate Conception Parish here, to help cut the wood from their own backyards and other sources. Sussex County also got involved through the road department that provides a lot of the wood cut from trees and branches interfering with power lines throughout the county.
Throughout the fall and winter months, the knights come together a few weekends to cut the wood and tie it up in deliverable "packages" to be picked up by the clients. The wood is stored on a parcel of land donated by an anonymous volunteer.
Donald Richter, grand knight for council 588, said, "Any help we can give we are happy to provide. This is a time, when so many people are facing adversity and do not have the money to buy the essentials of life such as heat to stay warm in the cold."
According to Sister Gebhard, more than 50 homes use the wood out of necessity in their homes. She said, "When people think about fireplaces in homes, they think luxury, but a lot of these homes in Sussex County are older, simple homes."
Joseph Duffy, executive director for diocesan Catholic Charities, said, "In recent years several of our agencies have helped clients with utility bill costs, most often through traditional gas and electric or oil heating bills for which there are some assistance dollars from other sources."
Because the wood is a natural resource, there is no cost to the agency. "It just takes a lot of effort from so many people giving up their time," said Sister Gebhard. "It's through the help of these people we are able to use God's given creation. It's a marvel we are able to get help from the county and anytime we need the knights, they are there."
Richter said, "While this is an intense labor project, the knights who split the wood actually enjoy spending the time outdoors. The guys love to do it."
In addition to the firewood project, the Marquette Council collects food for the food pantry at the Partnership for Social Services Family Center and provides Christmas gifts for needy families.
While Sister Gebhard continuously praises the efforts of the many people who take part in this project, many praise her for starting this initiative.
"Sister Thomasina found that there were people who relied totally or heavily on their wood stoves for heat because they could not afford the more common utilities. She thought out of the box and came up with a creative solution involving her office, the knights and the county," said Duffy.
"They are doing a terrific job. She'll call us up and say, 'We have a need' and we will gladly be there. Sister Thomasina has a unique ability to make things happen," said Richter.
While the demand is always great, Sister Thomasina is thankful this project took root. "This is such a gift to us. The families are grateful to be able to keep their homes warm in this cold," she said.
For anyone with firewood to donate, contact Sister Gebhard at the Partnership for Social Services Family Center.
Information: (973) 827-4702 or www.partnershipforsocialservices.org.
