Navajo Nation receives grant from Citizens Energy Corp.
Money used to assist with low-cost heating for low income families

<i>Photo by Christian Bigwater</i><br>
Navajo Nation Council Delegates Harry Claw (left) and Thomas Walker Jr. (right) stand with Joseph P. Kennedy II, president of Citizens Energy Corp.

<i>Photo by Christian Bigwater</i><br> Navajo Nation Council Delegates Harry Claw (left) and Thomas Walker Jr. (right) stand with Joseph P. Kennedy II, president of Citizens Energy Corp.

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - Joseph P. Kennedy II, president of Citizens Energy Corp., traveled from Boston, Mass. to present a $479,000 grant to the Navajo Nation Division of Social Services on April 1 to assist with providing low-cost heating to low income families.

Members of the Health and Social Services Committee of the 21st Navajo Nation Council, President Joe Shirley Jr. and staff from the Navajo Division of Social Services were on hand to receive the check.

Kennedy, oldest son of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew to President John F. Kennedy, founded the non-profit corporation in 1979 and served as its president since 1998 with a mission to provide low-cost heating to low income families.

Last year, the company provided $40 million to 65 Native American tribes through partnerships with CITGO Petroleum Corp., a Venezuelan-owned refiner and marketer of gasoline, lubricants, petrochemicals and other petroleum products.

Kennedy knows and has heard about the great need on the Navajo Nation and has responded with financial assistance.

"I want to make sure that the money is distributed to the people that need it most," Kennedy said.

"I could never understand what it must be like to grow up on a reservation. All I can do is let you know that this gift comes from our heart and that we care deeply," he added.

A large number of Navajo families living in the remote areas of the sprawling 17.5-million-acre reservation still use wood and coal to heat their homes, while many others use gas and propane that is far more expensive.

"It is a struggle every winter to help families stay warm," said Cora Maxx-Phillips, executive director for the Division of Social Services. "We know that single moms, elderly and even the average Navajo homeowner are struggling, especially with rising fuel costs."

Maxx-Phillips thanked Kennedy and the Council delegates in attendance at the event, particularly Chairman Thomas Walker (Birdsprings/Leupp/Tolani Lake) and Harry Claw (Chinle), for their hard work and diligent service to the Navajo people.

Walker reported that the grant helped 3,800 families and 19 healthcare facilities with financial assistance last year. He also mentioned that money will be distributed to the six regional offices and disseminated from there. Office staff will then conduct screenings and determine qualifications of applicants to determine eligibility.

Members of the standing committee thanked everyone for their teamwork in securing the grant.

"We want to extend our appreciation to President Shirley, the Division of Social Services and certainly to Mr. Kennedy," Walker said. "We understand that the Navajo Nation, being recipients of this grant, have to account for all monies received and that will definitely be done."

Claw also expressed his gratitude.

"This money is going to good use," Claw said. "The people out in the remote areas are the ones that are in most need of this assistance and I am glad that some of them will be helped."

Claw thanked Citizens Energy Corp. for their donation and hopes that they continue with such generous contributions in the future.

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