Wishing for warmth

WILLOW - Getting groceries and supplies from the store is something many people take for granted. Not Kenneth Schoenlein of Willow, though.

Schoenlein is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair for mobility. That poses some problems for him, but nothing he can't overcome.

For the holidays, Schoenlein is hoping he can find someone who will help him out with heating fuel so his house will be warm for the holidays.

"Heating fuel is probably the thing I need the most. A fill-up would really help me out," Schoenlein said. "I've got a very limited income, and being disabled, that makes getting heat a little tougher."

He heats with oil, and he said he has gone to local churches looking for a little help in keeping his oil drum filled this winter. Still, rising heating costs with an income that is limited has posed some problems for Schoenlein.

Heating fuel is the main thing he could use, but there are other needs. Schoenlein is also hoping someone can help him get to the grocery store so that he can make the holidays even more festive.

"That will help free up some odds and ends for the holidays," Schoenlein said. "I'm not looking for a lot. Just a little help."

Schoenlein lives in the Willow area.

Schoenlein is the latest person to enlist the help of the Frontiersman's "Hope's Helping Hand" program, which tries to link people in need with people who can help make Christmas a little brighter. Each edition, a person or family is profiled in hopes of getting support for them and filling their needs.

Those who can help out Schoenlein or any other person are encouraged to call the Frontiersman at 376-5225.