PROJECT HEAT TELETHON CONTINUES STATEWIDE SUCCESS

PORTLAND/BANGOR, ME—NEWS CENTER Maine held its annual statewide Project Heat Telethon on January 28 to raise money in support of the Keep ME Warm Fund. In just one day the telethon secured more than $455,000. Keep ME Warm is a partnership of the nine United Ways in Maine and ten Community Action Programs (CAPs). It is the only statewide program that provides emergency heating assistance and support to low-income households and local organizations throughout Maine.

Volunteers from all nine Maine United Ways, employees from Dead River Company and NEWS CENTER Maine all joined forces to answer calls virtually on a brisk snowy day.

For the second year, NEWS CENTER Maine’s Project Heat Power Hour was deployed. From noon to 1:00 p.m. telethon sponsor Dead River Company matched all donations up to $20,000. During the Power Hour viewers donated $105,428. Add the match from Dead River and $125,428 was donated in just one hour.

As of this writing, NEWS CENTER Maine’s 2021 Project Heat Telethon has accepted donations and pledges from individual donors and sponsors totaling $466,359. United Way anticipates funds will serve more than 2,000 households for heating assistance. That number is based on the current cost of $2.18 per gallon distributed by 100 gallons per household.

“All nine United Ways across Maine are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of NEWS CENTER Maine, Dead River Company, The Sam L. Cohen Foundation, and the over 4,000 donors who called or clicked through to the Project Heat telethon to pledge their support of our statewide emergency heating fund-- Keep ME Warm,” stated Liz Cotter Schlax, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Portland. “This is another heartwarming example of Mainers rising to meet the needs of their fellow Mainers. The Keep ME Warm fund is just one of the many ways United Ways in Maine are working to mobilize the caring power of our community to help children, individuals, and families thrive. Together, we are committed to helping our neighbors across the state recover and rebuild, creating a brighter future for everyone.”

Home heating costs are expected to grow this winter because people are continuing to shelter at home due to the pandemic. For many families, the added increase is an escalating concern. The reliance on oil to heat Maine homes makes the Project Heat Telethon vital to ensuring people can stay warm.

The opportunity to donate to Project Heat and Keep ME Warm is still open. Visit KeepMEWarm.org to donate. Visit or call 211 for heating assistance and resources.

For more information about NEWS CENTER Maine’s Project Heat Telethon please click here.

About NEWS CENTER Maine NEWS CENTER Maine is a local media organization that connects with all of Maine through television broadcast, digital, social and streaming platforms. Our goal is to make life better for Mainers. NEWS CENTER Maine is the NBC affiliate in the WCSH 6 Portland and WLBZ 2 Bangor markets, and is owned by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), the largest owner of top 4 affiliates in the top 25 markets. Across platforms, TEGNA and NEWS CENTER Maine tell empowering stories, conduct impactful investigations and deliver innovative marketing solutions. For More information, visit NEWSCENTERMaine.com.