Photo courtesy of National Life Insurance Company Martha Trombley Oakes, President of the National Life Group Charitable Foundation, left, presents a check for $20,000 to Hal Cohen, Executive Director of Central Vermont Community Action Council. MONTPELIER — The National Life Group Charitable Foundation announced a $20,000 donation to the Central Vermont Community Action Council last week.

The donation is an effort to ease the pain this winter and help Vermonters served through CVCAC who are having difficulty paying housing costs, heating their homes, paying overdue utility bills, and buying food. CVCAC serves 56 towns in Central Vermont, primarily in Washington, Lamoille, and Orange counties, said Martha Trombley Oakes, President of the National Life Group Charitable Foundation.

The National Life Group Charitable Foundation funds projects that address a clearly defined community need. CVCAC was awarded their contribution based on their well-planned approach to underlying needs, their strong Central Vermont base of support, and their committed and skilled leadership.

"As fuel and food costs continue to rise, we hope to help Central Vermonters affected by these burdens," said Mrs. Oakes. "In addition to being Central Vermont's largest employer, most of our employees and retirees and their families live in Central Vermont - an area with a sparse population and a thin base of charitable capital."

"As we aim to empower individuals and families in need throughout Central Vermont, we extend our deepest gratitude to the National Life Group Charitable Foundation for empowering the Central Vermont Community Action Council to help people achieve economic sufficiency with dignity," remarks Hal Cohen, CVCAC's Executive Director.