Sue & I had the opportunity to go to VT again this past weekend. While we noted some marked improvements like repaired roads and guardrails, there still is a mammoth need for food and money to help local families. The stores in the downtown area of Wilmington are ever so slowly opening but for some, it will be months and months. A handful of shop owners have decided not to reopen.
There was a bunch of leftover packaged food from our Bed & Boxing weekend which we dropped off at the local food pantry on Saturday. They were very appreciative of all that we brought. We also asked if they needed anything else that they didn't have and they made a list which we'll try and fill.
Also Sue & I stopped by the headquarters for the Deerfield Valley Human Web, a charity that was set up to help the local people in the Wilmington/West Dover area of southern VT. This is the brainchild of a local college student who attends school on the West coast and is being run by her mother out of their architectural office. We dropped off some checks that we had collected from other residents in the community in which our VT place is located. Again, there was so much appreciation for the checks. Julie also told us that she had received some checks from letterboxers from around the country, especially Portland, OR area who had seen our plea on this blog several weeks ago. Sue & I thank those of you who took the time to drop a check in the mail.
If you still haven't sent a check (and it doesn't have to be a huge amount) the info is located here. If you click the "How the fund is being used" link, it will take you to a blog that details the money coming in and being disbursed. There are no administration fees - this is all done by volunteers and 100% of your donation goes directly to those in need.
Checks can be made out to "Deerfield River Valley Human Web" can be sent to the fund at 14 Castle Hill Road, Wilmington, VT 05363. Please be sure to include the notation "Letterboxing Group" in the memo portion of your check. Sue & I want to show the locals that letterboxers who have hiked and used their extensive trail system are giving back to this community during their time of need.
As an ancient Chinese proverb says (found located on the bottom of the Human Web blog):
An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break.
Thanks for reading and thanks for sending a donation - whatever the amount. Sue & I really appreciate it as does the Southern Vermont Community at large!
