Although the days are getting longer and the outside thermometer is beginning to inch up slightly, the need for fuel assistance is still great - especially at a time of year when cold winter weather is still ahead and most fuel assistance funds have already been distributed.

Dead River Company has a long history of supporting the communities we serve. Given the need for fuel assistance, we asked ourselves how we could help during this time of need.

We decided upon a fundraising initiative - Share the Warmth - that works in collaboration with United Way to collect donations to help keep our neighbors warm.

For every donation made to Share the Warmth, Dead River Company will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000.

All monies will be collected by and distributed by United Way to agencies throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Your contribution to Share the Warmth is critically important - no matter what size donation. Working together, we can help keep our fellow New Englanders safe and warm this winter.

Please make a donation now through March 18, 2011, and encourage your employer, your friends and family members to do the same.