Nonprofit seeks help connecting with locals in need

Firewood rescue, a local nonprofit organization which cuts and delivers firewood to locals in need, is looking to find more individuals who are in dire need of firewood.

The nonprofit has been able to completely fill up their firewood storage, said FWR founder Paul Krames. The organization has seen an outpouring of support from local volunteers and monetary support by area businesses.

Now, they’re looking for help to connect more individuals in need with their program, he said.

Of the roughly 30 cases they’ve taken on since June, Krames said most have been people with severe disabilities. The organzation generally helps people with disabilities, seniors and seriously ill and those who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organization would like to get more volunteers to act as community liaisons connecting community members in need through their organizations or churches. Currently, one liaison, Gabe Gabel, is already doing outreach and can be reached at gabegabel@hotmail.com or (208) 265-9613.

Eileen Esplin, FWR coordinator, said for those who are referring others it’s important to know that she also needs to be able to speak to the individual in need of assistance personally.

“I always have to connect with the person who needs the wood and ask them questions,” Esplin said.

The organization’s main goal is to act as a stopgap for people who are truly struggling, she said.

“It’s the people where if they don’t get firewood within the next couple of days they’re going to be pretty cold,” she said.

Although the organization mainly delivers in the Sandpoint area, they will also volunteer farther out in places like Newport or Bonners Ferry.

Jeff Demeny, one of the volunteers with FWR, said the residents he’s delivered to have been extremely appreciative.

“They sometimes have nowhere else to get heat for their residence,” he said.

In recent deliveres, Demeny said, he was able to provide firewood for families.

In one case, Demeny was able to help a single mother and her two boys.

“She’s working, but doesn’t make enough to buy food and firewood and keep up with rent,” he said.

In another, he helped a family that had lost income because of the pandemic.

“Two little ones, a husand and a wife,” he said. “They were down to a couple pieces of firewood.”

Firewood Rescue can be reached at firewoodrescue2020@gmail.com