Off Topic: Vermont Irene Victim Aid

Forgive a brief digression from Star Wars and geek culture in general to talk about something on a personal note.

As part of the great Vermont Diaspora I have a soft spot in my heart for my home state. 

Recent news and images from Vermont have me concerned for those friends, family and neighbors I have back home picking up the pieces in the wake of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene.

WCAX.com (the local CBS TV affiliate) has posted a comprehensive list of ways you can help the recovery in Vermont.  If you are from Vermont, know a Vermonter or spend time in our great state, take a minute and see if there is anything you can do to help.

HELP FOR VERMONT IRENE VICTIMS
DONATIONS:
*United Way of Chittenden County -- to donate -- www.unitedwaycc.org OR 864-7541
*Donate $10 to the Vermont Foodbank to pay for food that will go to food banks in communities most impacted by Irene. Text the word FOODNOW to 52000 to make a $10 donation that will show up on your next cellphone bill.
*Vermont 211 -- Vermont211.org
*American Red Cross -- www.redcross.org
*Vt. Irene Flood Relief Fund-- raising money for flood relief for small Vermont businesses -- www.vtirenefund.org/
*Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund -- www.vermontcf.org/give-now/
*NOFA-VT Farmer Emergency Fund -- http://nofavt.org/programs/farm-financial-resources/farmer-emergency-fund
*Mad River Valley Community Fund -- www.mrvcommunityfund.org/
*Vermont Catholic Charities is also collecting funds for disaster relief -- www.vermontcatholic.org/index.php?sid=5&pid=837&subnav_id=0 or go to www.vermontcatholic.org and click on "Donate here and help a neighbor in need."
TO VOLUNTEER:
*To register for the Vermont statewide volunteer database at the United Way -- http://volunteer.truist.com/chittenden/volunteer/register/
*A website that's working as a clearinghouse for volunteers to connect with those who need help -- www.vtresponse.com
*If someone would like to help or have suggestions to solutions, please call Revive Royalton at 802-763-7740. We need volunteers to help in the clean up, monetary donations to help restore bridges and non-perishable goods to feed those who have been displaced.
*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 at 802-434-5170 or Chris Granda 802-922-7005.
*Donate blood to the Red Cross:

• Sept 3^rd, Friendly's, 5876 Williston Road, Williston from 11-3
• Sept 6^th, St. Paul's Methodist Church, 11 Church St., St. Albans
  from 12 – 5:30
• Sept 6^th, Trio Salon, 60 Knight Lance, Williston from 11-4
• Sept 7^th, Elk's Lodge, 3736 US Rt 5, Derby from 11:30 – 5:30
• Sept 8^th, Holy Cross Catholic Church, 416 Church Rd, Colchester
  from 12 – 5 (JUST ADDED)
• Sept 9^th, VFW, Pleasant St., Morrisville from 12-6
• Sept 10^th, University Mall, Dorset St., South Burlington from 10:30 – 4
• Sept 11^th, UVM Patrick Gym, 97 Spear St., Burlington from 11 – 4
• Sept 12^th, Elk's Lodge, 10 Jefferson St., Barre from 11:30 – 5:30
• Sept 13^th, American Legion, 49 Willson Rd, Middlebury from 10 – 4

To locate other drives in your area in September, learn more about blood donation, or to schedule an appointment, please go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
FUNDRAISERS & FUNDRAISING EVENTS:
*Mad River Flood Drive at Waitsfield Elementary School. Sat., 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Collecting food, clothes, books, toys, supplies. Currently in desperate need of toiletries, bleach, animal food.
*Free BBQ, donations to raise funds for Hurricane Relief with Sen. Bernie Sanders and members of the Vermont Workers' Center and Vermont Labor Unions
Mon., Sept. 5, 2011 12-3 p.m., Battery Park in Burlington (rain site=Memorial Auditorium)
Mon., Sept. 5, 2011 5-7 p.m., Town Green in Middlebury (rain site=St. Stevens Church)
www.facebook.com/vermontworkerscenter?ref=ts#%21/event.php?eid=226816564030962
*Clyde Whittemore Little League is holding a clothing, toy and non-perishable food drive on Saturday, Sept. 3 from 10-3 at Shaw's in Waterbury and on Sunday, Sept. 4 from 12-3 at the Rusty Parker Memorial Park for the flood victims of Waterbury, Duxbury and Moretown.
http://www.eteamz.com/ClydeWhittemore/news/index.cfm?id=5248853&cat=0&SitePage=&fb=ml
*Irene Relief Fundraiser dinner at Michael's on the Hill Restaurant in Waterbury Center. Tues., Sept. 13, 5-8 p.m., $50 for adults, $25 for children under 12. All proceeds go to the Vermont Irene Relief Fund. www.michaelsonthehill.com/
*Due to Hurricane Irene the Northfield Fire Department and the Northfield Senior Center would like to Donate the sales of the Duck Race ticket to the relief fund for the hurricane Irene victims. If you would like a refund of ticket instead of donation please call the Northfield Senior Center (802) 485-8112 and speak with Cheri and she will process refund and mail to you.
*Chester, Vt., Food and Donation Drive. Collecting food and household items for flood victims in Chester, Cavendish and Ludlow areas.
Sat., Sept. 3, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the American Legion in Chester
Visit the website for a list of badly needed items
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141458839280928
*Special T-shirts from Independent Vermont Clothing will benefit recovery efforts via the Red Cross -- http://independentvermontclothing.bigcartel.com/
*The Vermont Clothing Company is releasing a T-Shirt to raise money for victims. For each shirt sold, $5 will be donated to the Vermont division of the American Red Cross -- www.vermontclothingcompany.com -- 1-800-880-1557
*Stuff-A-Truck with supplies for Irene victims. The goal is to have 3 trucks filled with supplies.
Barre, Sept. 9, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
At the Rent-A-Center at 347 North Main St. in Barre
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=279837538697235
*The Underhill Town Hall has a donation location for relief efforts. They need 5-gallon buckets, cleaning supplies, 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 this Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon. Call 899-4434 ext. 1.
*Preservation Vermont is collecting donations to rebuild covered bridges and historic buildings destroyed or damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. The organization says all the money will go toward engineering and architectural analysis and rehabilitation work. Donors can designate their donation specifically for bridges or buildings if they want. For more -- visit www.ptvermont.org
*The Weston Playhouse, which suffered an estimated $100,000 in damage, has set up an emergency fund. Send checks to Weston Playhouse Theatre Co.; 703 Main St., Weston, VT 05161.
*Ri Ra in Burlington will feature a raffle to support the Vt. Irene Flood Relief Fund -- www.vtirenefund.org/
*Magic Hat Brewery in South Burlington will host a benefit barbecue Saturday at its headquarters. It starts at noon. Proceeds benefit the United Way of Vermont, which is acting as fiscal agent for the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund.
*Some vendors at the Burlington Farmers Market will donate a percentage of their sales to the Vt. Irene Flood Relief Fund and the Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund. The market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
*Club Metronome and Nectar's in Burlington will host a benefit for the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund on Sept. 11. Music is scheduled 2 p.m.-2 a.m. upstairs at Club Metronome. A silent auction and DJs will be downstairs at Nectar's 2 p.m.-10 p.m.
*A benefit concert in Ludlow will feature four local bands. It's Friday at Okemo's Jackson Gore Inn courtyard. It runs from 3-9 p.m. The Joey Leone Band plays from 3-4:30 p.m., The Kind Buds 4:30-6 p.m., Gypsy Reel from 6-7:30 p.m. and Chris Kleeman at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations to Black River Good Neighbors Services will be accepted. Profits from the barbecue will be donated to BRGNS. Donations may be made directly by visiting http://brgn.org/default.htm
*City Market in Burlington is donating 1 percent of sales Saturday to Sept. 16 to the Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund.
*My Little Cupcake in Essex will donate 10 percent of sales this weekend to Vermont Irene Flood Relief Fund.
*Gordon's Window Décor will donate $5 to the Vermont Foodbank for Irene efforts for every EcoSmart Shade sold through 10/31.
DISTRIBUTION SITES FOR IRENE VICTIMS:
*There will be a distribution for Irene victims at Eaton's Sugar House (Exit 3 on I-89, corner of Rts 14 and 107) sponsored by the East Randolph Baptist Church. It's Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, beginning at 11 a.m.
Come get what you need for yourself or those you care about:

• Bathroom Supplies
• Cleaning Supplies
• Bedding
• Baby Supplies

Call 802.522.5753 if you cannot come at this time and need to meet someone.

SOURCE: WCAX.COM