While frigid winter temperatures seem to be out, it won’t be long until the summer heat and humidity are headed our way. Staying comfortable during extreme cold and hot weather doesn’t need to be costly. Help is available and now even easier to access.

Residents of Buckingham County in need of energy assistance are benefiting from a partnership that expands local access to the Dominion Energy EnergyShare program. Rather than leaving the county to seek help with heating and cooling needs, residents can now stay much closer to home.

Ellis Acres Park, STEPS Inc. and Dominion Energy joined together to provide easier access to EnergyShare by making available at Ellis Acres Park – and other potential locations – a STEPS EnergyShare case manager the second Wednesday and fourth Friday of each month.

This new initiative successfully launched on March 13 as appointments were filled and phone calls answered, marking the expansion of a partnership to serve Buckingham residents with available services and resources from around the community.

Since 1982, EnergyShare has helped more than 800,000 families and individuals facing financial hardship with their energy bills. Eligible customers may seek bill payment assistance to keep or restore their primary heating source – be it wood, oil, kerosene, gas or electricity.

Thanks to the partnership, Buckingham County residents will now be able to access EnergyShare services locally at Ellis Acres Park on Camden Street.

There is excitement surrounding this new venture. It allows STEPS to further its mission in the county by helping residents in a very direct way. Ellis Acres continues to be a focal point in its efforts to improve the quality of life for all Buckingham County residents. And Dominion Energy is there to help its customers experiencing financial hardship.

We encourage the community to come celebrate this new partnership on Saturday, March 30,  at Ellis Acres Park, located at 245 Camden St., from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Residents can enjoy this day of free food, music, games and fun as well as access more information from the numerous nonprofits that will be on hand during the event.

For more information on this exciting new program, this weekend’s event, or general questions, contact Ellis Acres Park at (434) 983-5600, or STEPS Inc. at (434) 315-5909.

WIL DEAN is a founding director of Ellis Acres Park on Camden Street in Dillwyn. His email address is wilbertmdean@aol.com.