Mrs. Whiting has lived in Maryland her entire life. For more than fifty years, she and her late husband built a life together in the modest Anne Arundel County home they constructed with their own hands. It’s where they raised four children, hosted family holidays, and tended the backyard garden that brought her so much joy.
After her husband passed, the house felt bigger, quieter, and harder to maintain. The floors creaked a little louder. The windows let in more cold than she remembered. And the rising cost of utilities made it difficult to keep her home safe and warm on her fixed income.
Living on a single Social Security check meant watching every penny. She shopped only on senior discount days, kept her thermostat lower than she knew she should, and closed off rooms to save on heat. Still, the bills kept rising. Her joints ached from the cold, and her savings were nearly gone.
“I just couldn’t make the numbers work anymore,” she admitted. “But I didn’t want to worry my kids. They’re doing the best they can.”
One afternoon, while reading the local newspaper, she saw an article about the Silver Lights Program, a Fuel Fund of Maryland initiative supporting older adults age 60+ and individuals with critical medical needs. At first, she hesitated since she had always been able to manage on her own. But the January temperatures plus the February snow made her use more heat than she had planned.
With hope and a little courage, she visited the Fuel Fund website and completed an application.
Within days, Mrs. Whiting received assistance through Silver Lights, easing the burden of her utility bills and allowing her to heat her home safely. The relief was immediate and profound.
“When I got the call, I just sat at my kitchen table and cried,” she shared. “I could finally breathe again. I could finally be warm.”
Her children eventually learned she had received support from the Fuel Fund and felt nothing but gratitude. Knowing their mother was safe and warm brought them peace they hadn’t realized they needed.
Mrs. Whiting’s story is a reminder that aging shouldn’t mean sacrificing warmth, safety, or dignity. For older adults across Maryland, Silver Lights truly is a beacon – keeping homes warm, supporting health, and shining compassion exactly where it’s needed most.
To donate to the Silver Lights program: Click here to donate