William Shuttleworth
BRIDGTON, Maine (WBZ NewsRadio) — Among the sound of saws in Bridgton, Maine, William Shuttleworth has a mission: keeping the community warm.
Shuttleworth, a 77-year-old Air Force veteran, created the Lake Region Wood Bank, along with Loon Echo Land Trust, Bridgton First Congregational Church, The Opportunity Alliance, Bridgton Community Center, and other volunteers and businesses.
"What we do is to collect wood and provide it for those people who have no fuel oil or diesel fuel or heating oil so that they don’t get cold this winter," Shuttleworth said.
The wood bank has delivered 50 truckloads of wood so far. They also have 40 cords of wood on site that can be picked up or delivered.
Because funding for the Low Income House Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was cut off during the government shutdown, Shuttleworth said "people are desperate right now to make ends meet."
"When I deliver the wood, you just can't believe the gratitude that people have about what they are receiving," Shuttleworth said.
He puts about 40 to 45 hours a week into the wood bank, but said "it's worth it."
"It's more than delivering wood," Shuttleworth said. "It’s a healing opportunity not only for the people that get the wood, but this builds community for people that want to give and they’re always trying to find a way of how to do that."
Shuttleworth has a reputation for giving back. Six years ago, he walked across the country to support other veterans. The journey, called "Vets Don't Forget Vets," aimed to raise awareness about veteran suicide, homelessness, addiction, and access to healthcare. He raised nearly $60,000 during 3,000-mile trek from coast to coast.
WBZ NewsRadio's Drew Moholland (@DrewWBZ) reports.