During December’s Board Meeting, Board Commissioners, staff and guests heard touching testimonial from Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) client Joyce Patterson. Mrs. Patterson’s husband of 43 years passed away in August; since then, Joyce has lived on a fixed income and has a hard time paying her energy bill. PG&E referred her to HEAP.

“I always say that you never know what circumstances will change your life and I never thought I would be requesting assistance,” said Joyce. “I’d like to thank HEAP staff for your wonderful help. Words could not express my gratitude.”

The Board also heard from Bill Lovewell, President of Lovewell’s Propane Service, Inc. in Dunlap via a letter read by a HEAP employee. Bill, whose business has helped residents of Dunlap, Squaw Valley, and Miramonte writes, “Because of the caring people and diligent work performed at EOC’s LIHEAP offices we have seen first hand what a difference this program has made. In most cases it is the difference between having hot water, heat in the home, hot meals, and electricity or doing without completely. This assistance program is the only opportunity that some of these families have to make this possible.”

Executive Director Brian Angus introduced two new Board Commissioners to meeting attendees; Charles Bailey, Jr., and Darren Miller will serve as the Board’s newest Target Area Representatives.

The Board took action on the following items:

• ratified application to YouthBuild USA and the Department of Labor in the amount of $1.1 million for job training
• approved WIC Federal Fiscal Year 2011 funding of over $5 million and a new caseload of 37,500 to be funded by CA State WIC

In addition to the action items, the Board elected the following:

Vong Mouanoutoua, Chair
Jess Saldana, First Vice-Chairman
Pastor Rufus Fruge, Second Vice-Chairman
Marina Magdaleno, Treasurer