Oil & Energy Service Professionals (OESP) from around Connecticut deliver and install a new heating system for an 89 year-old Veteran, free of charge, under OIL HEAT CARES PROGRAM. (an estimated $8,000 to $13,000 value).

89 year-old Harvey Bullis served his country during World War II on The U.S. Massachusetts. He knows what it means to fight for survival but he never imagined he’d be fighting to pay his bills.

“Thank-you, thank-you,” said Bullis when he learned he’d be getting a new home heating oil boiler system for free. “I just can’t thank them enough, that they would do this for me and my daughter.”

Bullis, who is confined to a wheelchair, lives with his 53 year-old daughter Mary Lewin who is his caregiver and helps to financially support him. In June of last year, Mary lost her job at Waterbury Hospital after working there for 35 years in the housekeeping department. She has only two weeks left of unemployment. Money is extremely tight and with her furnace about to go, Mary didn’t know what she and her father would do.

“This is God sent,” said an emotional Mary Lewin. “The fact that people would do this in a time when it seems like no one cares about you, is unbelievable. Words cannot express how grateful we are.”

Mary and her father received a free home heating oil system through the national volunteer program OIL HEAT CARES which has chapters here in Connecticut. The program is funded through the Oil & Energy Service Professionals (OESP) which has volunteers throughout the state.

“When we heard Mr. Bullis’ story, we knew we had to do something,” said Danny Gentile, president of the New Haven chapter of Oil & Energy Service Professionals. “This is what it’s all about, helping people who have fallen on hard times and the fact that he’s a WW II Veteran makes it that much more rewarding.”

Gentile knows all to well how life can change in an instant. In 2011, he received serious burns on 80% of his body after his truck caught fire in the driveway at his Plymouth home.

“I shouldn’t be alive and yet here I am. God saved my legs, my face and my life, so I can keep doing this. I’m certain of it,” said Gentile. “It’s all about giving back.”

All the equipment, parts and services are donated through The OIL HEAT CARES program with an estimated value of $8,000 to $13,000.

“Our service folks are amazing human beings,” said Chris Herb, President of Connecticut Energy Marketers Association which represents 600 home heating oil and propane companies around Connecticut. “We really do care about our customers and this just goes to show it. I’m honored to be working with such amazing and caring people.”

People who qualify can apply for assistance through The Oil Heat Cares program. The toll free phone number is 888-552-0900. You can also reach them by email at info@oilheatcares.com.