Tribe Offers Furnace Cleaning and Servicing for Elders

Akwesasne, NY – Following the completion of the Elder's Electricity Assistance Pilot Project, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council has approved another pilot program to further assist tribal members 65-years and older. The most recent program is designed to assist tribal elders who are homeowners with routine cleaning and servicing of residential home heating units in advance of the winter heating season.

"We appreciate the positive responses from the first elder's pilot project that provided financial assistance to help our tribal seniors with their electricity bills," said Tribal Chief Beverly Cook. "Its successful conclusion led the Tribal Council to seek additional means to assist our elders, as well as to ensure their safety and well-being."

During the past several months, the Tribal Council has been working with the Tribe's Compliance Department to develop a Heating Unit Cleaning and Service Assistance Pilot Program. This fall will see the launch of the elder's program, which assists senior tribal members with a $100 voucher to have their heating units (either fuel oil or kerosene burning) cleaned and serviced prior to the heating season's coldest months.

"This pilot project is intended to avoid emergency situations and/or expensive repairs by taking a proactive approach in helping our elders," said Tribal Chief Eric Thompson. "Cleaning and servicing furnaces before the cold months will help prevent the heating unit's failure and avoid expensive fixes, as well as personal injuries."

In the past week, the Compliance Department distributed letters to tribal elders residing within a 15-mile radius of the Tribe notifying them of their pre-approval for the $100 voucher to help pay for a heating unit cleaning and service. The vouchers accompanied the letters and are redeemable at the following approved oil burner service providers:

Mohawk Plumbing (518) 358-4856

Suburban (518) 483-2710

Mullarney's Garden (518) 483-1111

Adirondack Energy (518) 483-3835

Upstate P & H (518) 483-6590

"Tribal Council is always looking for ways to improve the well-being of our community members, including our elders," noted Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance. "We're pleased that this latest pilot program will potentially help 248 tribal seniors with furnace cleaning and preventive maintenance service this fall."

The Heating Unit Cleaning and Service Assistance Pilot Program is being offered through a partnership with tribally licensed tobacco business owners belonging to the Akwesasne Convenience Store Association.

The voucher is effective Seskehkó:wa/September 2016 to Tsiothóhrha/December 24, 2016 and it is nontransferable and has no value to anyone else.

For more information about the pilot program, please contact the Compliance Department at (518) 358-2272.