"I live alone on a very limited income and this program meant an awful lot to me. I could put some money aside to pay my other bills and save a little extra to pay for oil later on. I didn't really think about CITGO or Venezuela before, but I am so appreciative that they care enough about people like me."

The CITGO-Venezuelan Heating Oil Program has strengthened the heating safety net for our most vulnerable citizens. But don't just take our word for it; see what they have to say.

"I’m 21 years old and I live with my two children. I’m a full-time student in community college. The heating assistance program helped me because I didn’t have to pay for my fuel oil this year. That meant that I could spend that money on my children, for their food, clothing, their diapers and the extra activities that I do with them. We greatly appreciate the CITGO fuel assistance program. It helps people that don’t have a high income, like myself. Thank you"

"What does the discount mean to me? It means a lot. Sure, it helps me pay some bills. But it's not just the money. It's being recognized and acknowledged as a person and as a community. I grew up in Puerto Rico so it's nice to see Latin American leaders extending themselves and taking care of their own. We're not forgotten. We're not ghosts in someone else's eyes."

"The discount is great. It shows that someone really cares about us. We're like family in this building, and even a little help makes a big difference. Congressman Serrano and CITGO have done a super job for me and everyone here."

"My name is Brad Bonaparte. I’m an artist and I’ve lived on the reservation with my family for several years now. I have six kids. Most of them live here with me. I used to travel to and from New York City to work as an ironworker. The CITGO heating assistance is awesome. We really needed it. I went through two tanks of fuel, burned five cords of wood, and even had to use an electric heater to keep my house warm. It got costly. The assistance made a big difference for a lot of people this year, and we are truly grateful to CITGO."

"This takes your breath away, and I am thrilled that our clients can take advantage of it. We serve more than 550 families, some elderly, some working poor, all in need of help. I'm happy to say that with this discount, no one has to choose between staying warm or paying for food or rent. It has made a real difference in their lives. We all need to watch out for our neighbors, to make sure they're not cold. CITGO has been a very good neighbor to us."

"I’m Colleen Cooper and I’ve lived my whole life here on the reservation and since 1977 in this house. I live with my 15-year-old daughter, Paige, am enrolled in community college, and am studying liberal arts. I have one more semester to go to get my degree. This house is so cold we can’t walk around in it barefooted, and we’ve had to use the stove for heat. We were informed by the tribal administrators about the CITGO program and we’re really thankful for this help. We want to say, 'Thank you very much for the help we’ve received.'"

"This program is a blessing, that's all I can say. It means everything. The discount helps me catch up on past bills such as my phone and electricity. I can buy things for my beautiful little granddaughter. It has allowed me to be comfortable in my own home, to be warm without worrying. It's excellent. I can't praise CITGO enough."

"I grew up during the Depression and have worked hard all my life. I know what it's like to be cold and not have anything to eat. So I really appreciate this program. It means that for the next three months I can afford to buy my medicine and enough food. I didn't know anything about CITGO or Venezuela before this, but now I am so grateful."

"We provide shelter to individuals and families, most of them working people. Everyday's another crisis; someone always needs something. Between rising fuel costs and funding cuts from Congress, there's never enough. The savings will really help. Anyone can become homeless. Programs like this save people's lives."

"We were the first non-profit in the state to receive the free fuel oil, and I can't tell you what a difference it's made. A one-time savings of $600 is money we can use to help our clients become self-supporting and productive in this world. It allows us to buy food, clothing and other essentials that we'd have to fund from our already small operating budget. For us and our clients, it's a matter of survival."

"I want you know how much your contributions of fuel have been appreciated by our people. We are constantly looking for money to assist with fuel, especially during the winter months, so I cannot express to you in words how much that meant to us. We have let our congressional personnel know that if it were not for your contributions to us, more of our families would have had to move in together, in already overcrowded homes, to make it through the cold months we are faced with. As I had told you before, we have such a shortage of homes that 3 to 4 families live in one household, we have homes where 23 people live in a 2 bedroom home. Through FEMA, we are going to be getting maybe 4 trailer homes but that is only a drop in a HUGE bucket of our need for homes. Once again I would like to express to you our gratitude for your contributions to our Sioux Nations."

02/08/08 - Tribes Honor Venezuelan-owned company for Heating Help - KMOT TV 02/07/08 - Tribes express gratitude for gift of winter warmth - Rapid City Journal 12/14/07 - Venezuela to Donate more Heating Oil to US Poor - Reuters 12/14/07 - CITGO-Venezuela Heating Oil Program Launched in Bronx more  >>