'We’re blessed.': Houston firewood program makes first deliveries to seniors

While the calendar says July, the weather definitely feels more like autumn as cooler temperatures and rain have rolled into much of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB). And just in time, the City of Houston announced that the first loads of firewood have been delivered to seniors in need.

This comes weeks after the Houston city council approved an ordinance allowing them to receive a matching grant that would allow for the purchase of equipment needed to cut and process the many dead spruce trees and provide the elderly and low-income residents for reduced costs.

“We're thrilled to announce our Senior Firewood Program is up and running,” says Houston Public Works clerk Melissa Sonnek, who says that to date, 15 cords have been delivered to seniors in Houston.

“To say this has been going amazingly well is an understatement…They have been so thankful, so happy when the wood is delivered.” She says that this new program should help alleviate some stress for those who would otherwise not know how they would heat their homes.

The city recently purchased a firewood processor as part of the Wood Innovations Grant, and after the crew at Public Works assembled it and conducted a test run, opened up to receive applications from seniors in the community.

The processor has exceeded expectations, with a chainsaw arm it is able to split firewood at a rate of 5 cords an hour.

“It’s nothing short of a miracle. We are overwhelmed at its capabilities.”

Currently, the program is only open to senior 65 and older or disabled and live in Houston or have been referred by a local nonprofit.

“The first people we’re going to serve are our seniors, then the disabled, veterans,” said Sonnek. After that, the city will also take referrals from non-profits as well as able-bodied residents of Houston, then open up to people in need outside of the city, all as they work to make sure people who need firewood to stay warm and safe this winter are placed on the growing list.

“We’ve already received calls from people asking to get on the list, and input from people from Willow.”

Area non-profit organizations will be reviewing the eligibility to make sure that seniors and disabled people get the firewood they need.

“Seeing the positive impact, seeing how everything is working well was the intent of the grant. We’re blessed.”

For more information, please visit www.houstonak.us/com.../senior_firewood_program_.php