Construct Launches Warm Up The Winter Fuel Crisis 2023 Campaign
Annual Winter Campaign Focuses on the High Fuel and Electricity Costs Impacting Berkshire Households
Construct will launch their annual Warm Up the Winter campaign on January 30, 2023. Focusing specifically on the issues Berkshire residents face during the winter months, the assistance campaign promises to help area residents—homeless, low income, and middle income Berkshire residents, including professionals—with the after-affects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Inflation, the deepening housing crisis and exponentially rising fuel costs are hitting everyone hard. Fuel costs, for example, have risen close to 250% in the past 3 years.
“Warm Up the Winter has become a core fundraiser for us,” stated Jane Ralph, Construct’s Executive Director. “Winter creates serious challenges for many Berkshire households. More and more people are looking at their bills and deciding between heat, medicine, and food, choices no one should ever have to make. This campaign directly assists households facing these choices.”
Originating fifteen years ago, The Warm Up the Winter campaign began as a benefit concert founded by Rabbi Deborah Zecher. This year, the Warm up the Winter Fuel Crisis 2023 campaign will include a six-week video fundraising campaign and end with a crowd-pleasing benefit concert at the Barn.
The goal is to raise $75,000 by March 15, 2023.
Discussing the current crisis from different perspectives, the short video interviews will feature local residents, business owners, workers and politicians: Josh Irwin (Cantina 229), Kate Coulehan (Construct), Pete Nugent (Sub Contractor), Paul Mark (State Senator), Cheryl Thomson (Program Manager for Advocacy for Access). Actor, singer, and Great Barrington resident, Lauren Ambrose, has recorded an appeal for the campaign’s opening video. She will also emcee the live concert along with Gary Happ of Barrington Brewery.
Underwriters for the campaign include the Gilson Family Foundation, Jewish Women’s Foundation, Theory Wellness, The Schnesel Family Fund, Judi and Alan Marash, and Eric and Laura Jordahl.
The Benefit Concert: March 2, 2023
The benefit concert will feature performances donated by Berkshire Children’s Chorus, Wanda Houston Band, Billy Keane, Hot Sauce, and Misty Blues.
“We are planning a stellar show this year. Tickets are very limited, so we encourage early purchase,” chair of the WUTW Campaign Committee, Jane Glaser, said.
The concert will take place Thursday, March 2, 2023, and tickets are on sale here:
Donations
Donations can also be made by texting: ‘Warmth‘ to 855-202-2100 or writing a check to Construct, Inc., Mail to: 316A State Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230.