by Laura Seaton, Executive Director

I am very excited to announce that WindowDressers is moving forward with re-opening our innovative Community Build program for insulating window inserts in 2021! After a full year of being shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our staff and volunteers are eager to get back to the work of warming homes, helping the environment, and building community.

There is a great deal of planning and preparation work to be done before the season kicks off. However, I want to encourage residents of Maine and Vermont who are interested in getting inserts from us this year to sign up now. We have a long list of customers who could not get inserts last year and we expect to have many more people looking to save money on their heating bills next fall. Please put your name on the list today so you don’t miss out! And if you already have inserts, please spread the word to your friends and neighbors that this opportunity will be available again this year.

In consideration of the ongoing public health concerns around Covid-19, there will be some changes to our program this year:

1. All measuring volunteers will be vaccinated against Covid-19.
2. Measuring appointments will be delayed until the summer when vaccination rates are higher and there is less Covid-19 circulating.
3. Community Builds will be held only in October and November, wrapping up before the holidays.
4. As always, WindowDressers staff and volunteers will follow all public health precautions required by the state.

As we always do, WindowDressers is committed to proving 25-35% of our inserts to low-income households at no charge. This is an essential part of our program and it helps ensure that all of our neighbors can be warm through the winter. Additionally, every insulated window reduces CO2 emissions and helps to combat climate change. By helping others stay warm, we can help keep our shared planet healthy!

Can you help? We are fundraising for our low-income program now. Our goal is $131,600 to build 3,375 inserts for low-income folks. We have raised $84,516. Can you help us get across the finish line? By donating a portion of your stimulus check or a portion of the heating fuel savings you’ve enjoyed with inserts in place, you can make the difference for one of your neighbors this winter. Your donation will:

$40 warm a window
$120 warm a room
$280 warm a home
$1000 warm a neighborhood
$3000 warm a community

Donate online or mail a check:
The WindowDressers
P.O. Box 1135
Rockland, ME 04841

Thank you for your support!