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Vermont Hurricane Relief Effort

Hurricane Irene has had a dramatic impact on the lives of many citizens throughout our region. Although the infrastructure damage we are all seeing or hearing about is amazing, the personal challenges being confronted by many is truly heartbreaking. This is particularly true in the State of Vermont. To put some perspective on the extent of the damage in Vermont, over 200 segments of Town highways were closed, over 100 segments of State highways were closed and 25 bridges were closed as a result of the storm.

Several opportunities to contribute to the relief in Vermont have been established, many are summarized below. In addition there are many on-going events with proceeds going to the relief.

Donations

  • American Red Cross of Vermont and The New Hampshire Valley, www.redcrossvtnhuv.org, 660-9130

  • United Way of Chittenden County, which is acting as fiscal agent for the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund; www.unitedwaycc.org, 864-7541.

  • VT Irene Flood Relief Fund, a fundraising effort for small Vermont businesses devastated by Irene, found at www.vtirenefund.org.

  • The Upper Valley Haven provides temporary shelter and educational programming for homeless families and adults as well as food and clothing to anyone in need. They are still accepting, and in need of, both perishable and non-perishable food donations. www.uppervalleyhaven.org, 802-295-6500.

  • To help Vermont farmers who lost crops, livestock and land to Tropical Storm Irene, the state has created the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture and the Vermont Community Foundation teamed up to create the fund, which will pool donations and offer grants to affected farmers. Visit www.vermontagriculture.com for more information.

  • The Mad River Valley Community Fund, a nonprofit organization established in 1989 to specifically respond to the needs of Mad River Valley residents, has reopened its flood fund. Tax deductible donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 353, Waitsfield, VT 05673 or on the website at www.MRVCommunityFund.org.

  • The Farmer Emergency Fund, established in 1997 to help organic farmers affected by natural disasters, is asking for donations. Contact Kirsten Bower at the Northeast Organic Farming Association for more information on how to donate or apply for funds at 434-4122 ext. 16.

  • My Little Cup Cake in the Essex Town Shopping Center is donating 10 percent of sales to Vermont Irene Flood Relief Fund.

  • The Red Cross is asking for blood donations. For more information visit www.redcrossblood.org.

  • Donations to the Vermont Food Bank can be made by texting FOODNOW to 52000. The Vermont Food Bank will turn a $10 donation into $60 of food for those in need. So far the Vermont Food Bank has collected 15 truckloads of donated food to distribute to food shelves and meal sites affected by the storm.

  • The Underhill Town Hall, in conjunction with VTResponse.com has opened a donation location for the hurricane relief effort. Items needed are five-gallon buckets, sponges, masks, rubber gloves, cleaning supplies, bleach, boxes, masking tape, fans, headlamps, dehumidifiers, personal care items, towels, linens, blankets and pet food. Donations can be dropped off at 12 Pleasant Valley Road, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon. 899-4434 ext. 1.

  • Preservation Vermont is collecting donations to rebuild covered bridges and historic buildings destroyed or damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. Paul Bruhn, executive director of the organization, said 100 percent of the money will be used for engineering and architectural analysis and for rehabilitation work. Preservation Vermont will cover any administrative expenses from other sources, he said. Donors may designate their donation specifically for bridges or for buildings if they choose, he said. For information, visit www.ptvermont.org.

  • The Weston Playhouse, the professional theater company in southern Vermont that suffered an estimated $100,000 in damage, set up an emergency fund: send checks to Weston Playhouse Theatre Co.; 703 Main St., Weston, VT 05161.

  • Local alternative gifting website www.inlu.com is offing an opportunity for folks to directly help families in need. Typically, Inlu charges a $.99 per contribution fee, but it is donating that fee back to the cause.

Volunteering

  • A clearinghouse for volunteers to connect with people who need help: www.vtresponse.com.

  • Vermont Commission on National and Community Service vtcncs.vermont.gov 241-4244 is seeking volunteers.

  • Volunteers are needed in Richmond to help with flood clean up. Some special equipment is also needed. Wet-vacs, buckets, mops, large fans and dehumidifiers are needed. Please call town administrator Geoffrey Urbanic to learn more at 434-5170.