KINGWOOD — Heat For Preston’s annual fundraiser has been moved to Thanksgiving — this Thursday.
For about 15 years, the local nonprofit has held a dinner Christmas day to raise funds that are used to pay heating bills for those in need.
Diners gave a donation for the meal. Last year, around 600 diners were served. Those who could afford it were asked to make a donation, which went to Heat For Preston. It is the only fundraiser the group does each year.
This year’s dinner will be served 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Thanksgiving day at Monroe’s, 110 E. Main St., Kingwood. Carry outs will be available by calling 304-329-3354.
Jimmy Maier, owner of Monroe’s restaurant, and Dick Shaffer, a retired restaurateur, started the nonprofit. They have been blessed with good weather for dinners most years but worry that record will end.
“We decided to do it on Thanksgiving this year because we figured sooner or later we would get a big snow and no one would come,” at Christmas, Maier said.
Last year Heat For Preston helped more than 220 families. Shaffer has an office at the Kingwood Southern Baptist Church, on W.Va. 7, where people can stop 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday January through March to request help.
Applicants must fill out a financial form. Any payments made will be directly to the utility company, or the supplier of fuel oil, coal or wood. Maier said many applicants are single mothers or on Social Security.
The private nonprofit tries to ensure it helps those truly in need.
“We interview them, and if they’re spending money drinking, we tell them we can’t help them,” Maier said.
The meals are prepared and served by volunteers. It takes 48 hours to prepare the feast. Last year, more than 2,520 pounds of turkey breast were prepared.
Some of the food is donated and some purchased. The generosity and baking skills of Nancy Copney, of Kingwood, has been a mainstay at the dessert table throughout the fundraiser. “I think she starts baking two weeks in advance,” Maier said.
Many churches and civic groups also contribute either to the dinner or the heat fund, Maier said.
For more information or to volunteer to help with the dinner, call Monroe’s at 304-329-3354 or Shaffer at 304-329-0073. Donations to Heat For Preston can also be sent to P.O. Box 88, Kingwood, WV 26537.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
