CASCO — Casco Cares is asking for the community’s help to provide emergency fuel assistance to Casco residents.

The goal of the local group’s 2014 Fund Drive is to raise money through donations to cover costs of its fuel assistance program in this present heating season and to provide a buffer for next year.

Casco Cares is a nonprofit charitable organization formed in September 2010 and recognized by the state of Maine. Its purpose is to provide one-time fuel assistance in each year to Casco residents who do not qualify for town, state, PROP and/or other sources of aid and find themselves in an emergency situation.

Since its first year of service, the number of times where Casco Cares was able to provide emergency heat help has continued to rise. Now into its fourth year, a much colder winter than the three previous, the group anticipates a higher number of requests than ever before.

Fundraising jars are in various public locations throughout the town of Casco. Checks may also be made out to Casco Cares and mailed to Casco Cares, P.O. Box 22, Casco ME 04015. For more information about the program, please write to this address.

Pennies, dimes, dollars, checks. Every bit will be used to help our neighbors. Please show you care by donating to the heating fund. The recipients of fuel assistance and the directors of Casco Cares thank you for your support.