A homeless family of four living in a van and a family of five who are subsisting on Social Security checks were among those helped recently thanks to donations to the 2009 Coal Fund Campaign.

For decades the annual Coal Fund Campaign has begun at Thanksgiving and has continued through Dec. 31, although contributions are accepted year-round.

Sponsored by The Greeneville Sun and administered without charge by Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries, the Coal Fund seeks donations from individuals, churches, employee groups, organizations, and businesses to help fellow Greene Countians who would otherwise be unable to heat their homes during the winter months.

Community Ministries, a United Way agency created and sponsored for many years by the Greeneville-Greene County Ministerial Association, also administers the Food Bank, which assists local citizens in need of food, and other outreach agencies.

Carmen Ricker, executive director of Community Ministries, said one of the families who recently received its heating assistance was a family of four that had been living in a van.

"One morning, the father awoke to find ice in his beard," Ricker said.

She noted that Community Ministries was able to offer to pay the family's first-month rent if they can obtain subsidized housing.

"Provisions have been made to keep this family as warm as we can, thanks to contributions to the Coal Fund Campaign," Ricker said.

She noted that the family previously had suffered from the cold while living in the van.

A second family assisted recently by Community Ministries, thanks to Coal Fund contributions, consisted of two parents and three small children whose only income is Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

"Their normal expenses take about all of their income and when anything out of the ordinary occurs, it causes a crisis," Ricker wrote. "They needed food and kerosene. All three children are in school and there is a continuing need for clothing and school supplies for them."

Ricker noted that the family also was unable to afford kerosene and wood for use in heating their home.

"Thanks to contributions to the Coal Fund Campaign, Community Ministries was able to provide some kerosene and the Wood Ministry will deliver a load of wood to them," Ricker noted.

When the United Way campaign began late last month, Ricker said she feared the needy will have great difficulty this winter heating their homes because of the economic downturn that continues to have the community, the region, and the nation in its grip.

As a result, Ricker said, every penny that Community Ministries can raise before Dec. 31 likely will be needed to meet what is expected to be increased demand for home-heating assistance this winter.

Fortunately, the 2009 Coal Fund Campaign got off to a good start because of a $25,000 contribution from a local donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

That contribution was timely because demand for both heating assistance and food is on the increase, Ricker said.

Community Ministries staff members screen applicants for food and heating assistance to ensure that they meet stringent program guidelines.

In allocating assistance, she said, staff members first try to help families with small children, and homes with individuals who are seriously ill or who are 70 years or older.

As in 2008, she said, assistance this year to approved families and individuals who heat their homes with electricity, natural gas, and propane is limited to $120 once during the heating season, in an effort to make Coal Fund donations go as far as possible.

In earlier years, she noted, the amount of heating assistance Community Ministries was able to offer as the result of Coal Fund donations was based on a value equal to, or near, the price of 100 gallons of home-heating oil or kerosene.

That approach had to be changed three years ago, she said, when the price of heating oil and kerosene rose dramatically.

The same $120 amount, she said, will be paid toward the residential propane, natural gas, or electricity bills of approved Coal Fund applicants.

However, Ricker explained that the cost of a ton of coal has increased to $150 (plus $25 for delivery) from the nearest coal supplier, which is in Rogersville. The recipient of the coal must pay the $25 delivery fee, she said.

A major bright spot in the situation this year is that Community Ministries is receiving wood for home-heating free of charge, thanks to a Wood Ministry being operated by a number of local churches, Ricker said.

She also noted earlier this week that the Wood Ministry had delivered 150 loads of wood so far this fall.

Applicants who heat their homes with wood are screened by Community Ministries, which then contacts the Wood Ministry volunteers to arrange for delivery.

In past years, Community Ministries had to pay at least $60 per load for wood.

Contributions by the public, churches and businesses since the last Coal Fund Campaign last week totaled $13,101.

When added to the $64,507 that had previously been donated, the new donations brought the campaign total as of Wednesday, Dec. 9, to $77,608.

Those who had made new contributions by Wednesday included:

* Beacon Light Class of Trinity United Methodist Church, $100;

* Robert W. King, $100;

* Jerry F. and Carolyn L. Ward, $200;

* Walker Construction, $100;

* Anonymous, $25;

* Newcomer Club, $300;

* Don and Marie Johnson, $100;

* Anonymous, $200;

* Anonymous, $300;

* Phillip S. Adams in honor of Angelo Adams, $25;

* Sunday School Class of New Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, $500;

* St. Transport, Inc., $200;

* Bethany Free Will Baptist Church, $250;

* Dr. Laura L. Urban, $60;

* Mr. and Mrs. Carl Davenport, $200;

* Bob Bradley and Larry and Cookie White in Memory of Charles Bradley, $100;

* Norman and Saundra Proffitt, $200;

* Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, $500;

* Anonymous, $500;

* Crusaders Class of First Church of God, $50;

* Hubert and Irene Ricker, $100;

* Jo Ann Attanasio, $100;

* Carla Feezell $75;

* Gleaner's Guild Sunday School Class of Clear Springs United Methodist Church, $100;

* Tom D. and Leola J. Cotten, $100;

* Pine Grove United Methodist Women, $100;

* Shirley Scarborough in memory of Tommy and Ellouise Seddon, $50;

* Elizabeth Tullock, $100;

* Margie Douthat-Williams, $100;

* John W. Casteel, Jr., $50;

* Jimmy and Brenda Box, $200;

* James and Nellie Whittenburg, $100;

* Davy Crockett Region Car Club, Greeneville, $225;

* Kenneth A. and Flossie Jean Bowers, $200;

* Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church, $66;

* Mr. and Mrs. John T. Johnson, Jr., $200;

* Hartmans Chapel Church, $500;

* Jerry and Dee A. Hook, $250;

* Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Linebarger, $50;

* Anonymous, $25;

* Anonymous, $50;

* Towne Square Package Store, Inc., $1,100;

* Bill and Betty B. Vaughn, $200;

* Greene Ridge Free Will Baptist Church, $500;

* Faith Temple Full Gospel Church, $300;

* Friendship Class of First Baptist Church, $100;

* Mammie McGuire Sunday School Class of Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church, $100;

* Nancy Finkle in memory of Adam Johnson, $25;

* Roger W. and Peggy A. Reeser in memory of Neva Hooks, $25;

* Valerie B. Wall, $100;

* Charlotte L. Peters in memory of Charles Peters, $50;

* Jean Olson Sunday School Class of First Presbyterian Church, $100;

* Worthy N. and Carole Rowlison, $200;

* Jack B. and Nancy Kilday, $100;

* Ruth and Herbert Whitfield, $300;

* Anonymous, $100;

* Delores M. Saults, $25;

* Joe M. and Vivian R. Peake, $100;

* Tom W. and Betty M. Parker, $25;

* Notre Dame Council of Catholic Women, $410;

* Jean Shell's Bridge Friends in memory of Dr. Don Shell, $400;

* St. Joseph's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, $500;

* Hope Class of First Baptist Church in honor of Mary Sue Brakebill, $50;

* Evelyn Holley in honor of Dr. Lynn Smith, $100;

* Randy and Jin Harrell in memory of Dr. Don Henard, $100;

* Anonymous, $15;

* Anonymous in memory of Dr. Lynn Smith, $100;

* In memory of Edward and Johnnie Roberts by Their Family, $300;

* In memory of Edward and Johnnie Roberts by their family, $200;

* Jean Hagenburger, $25; and

* Anonymous, $700;

Ricker said that although the annual Coal Find Campaign runs from Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, Community Ministries will gladly accept additional donations throughout the year.

Readers who would like to contribute to the Coal Fund may do so by taking checks (payable to The Coal Fund) or cash directly to the Community Ministries office at 107 N. Cutler St. between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.

Contributions also can be mailed to:

The Coal Fund

P.O. Box 545

Greeneville, TN 37744