Wheeless, CRDC deliver Christmas tree to family

A little holiday cheer for this time of year

By John Rech

news@theeveningtimes.com

One of the joyful duties for Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless each year at Christmas time is to give away a decorated tree to a resident in the County. Wheeless decorated the tree himself and delivered the gift to Danielle Williams in Harvard Yard. The big surprise was part of the Assurance 16 program at the Crowley’s Ridge Development Council.

Williams completed the energy assistance program taking classes in financial management, budgeting, and energy efficiency awareness which includes and appreciated the tree. Incentives toward the family energy bill are earned upon the completion of each course. In the end, the family may choose a new energy efficient appliance.

But, the tree came as surprise for one County family which participated in Assurance

16.

“We will enjoy this, thank you,” said Williams.

Sure enough the big eyes of her little two year old instantly lit up when Wheeless plugged in the tree.

The CRDC is a non-profit Community Action Agency dedicated to fighting poverty in northeast Arkansas. Wheeless sits on the council with Judges

Wheeless, CRDC deliver Christmas tree to family from seven other counties and 16 business and community leaders providing leadership in the creation of opportunities for disadvantaged people to achieve greater self-sufficiency.

CRDC Executive Director Tim Wooldridge was on hand for the special delivery.

“Crowley’s Ridge Development Council is taking care of the needs of families and Judge Woody Wheeless is here because he cares and recognizes that,” said Wooldridge.

Wooldridge pointed out volunteer opportunities with the CRDC in the coming year.

“We are looking for volunteers to help in our energy assistance offices,” said Wooldridge. “We are stretched way too thin. We need to keep them covered.

We are looking for volunteers from church, retired teachers, or professionals that would take on the ministry to help us do a better job with energy assistance.” The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program opens the first of two energy assistance seasons in with the new year. Help for qualified households facing utility shutoff is available through the CRDC office on West Bond in West Memphis runs from January through March. Help folding letters and stuffing envelopes is also needed now. Data entry, answering phones and receptionist help keep the energy assistance program running smoothly in January as folks line up for help.

Wooldridge sees helping as a two way street. The Executive Director addressed 300 churches in a December letter.

“We are asking churches to help us fill our necessity closet with money in exchange for when anyone comes to them with a need that they can send them to us,” said Wooldridge.

Donors, volunteers or those in need may contact the CRDC by phone (870) 802-7100; or on the web at www.crdcnea.com.