This fall, Wheels to Warmth will operate for the first time in Rutland and local community organizations are thrilled.
Wheels for Warmth was founded in 2005 by then-state senator Phil Scott. In the years since, the program has raised more than $253,000 for emergency fuel assistance and sold more than 12,500 safe donated tires.
The program gives people who have tires lying around a way to safely dispose of them.
All donated tires are inspected and those that meet state safety standards are then sold at a designated tire sale for, at most, $25 a piece. The program has also recycled more than 20,500 unsafe tires.
Pam Shambo works with BROC, a nonprofit aid organization in Rutland. “I think this is a wonderful opportunity for anyone out there who’s on limited income and knows that their tires may not make it through the winter to come on up and get a really good deal.”
Shambo encourages people in the area to donate their tires to the program on Oct. 29 and 30 at Casella Construction in Mendon and Dubois Construction in Montpelier. Both sites will serve as tire drop-off and inspection sites from 2-6 p.m.
The tire sale will take place at both locations on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Proceeds from that sale will then provide fuel assistance for needy families in Rutland. Shambo says those funds will help folks who may not qualify for state or federal heating assistance.
Shambo says if the program goes well in Rutland, she hopes it will eventually expand to Bennington County, where BROC also provides services.
