Minutes of the May meeting

Minutes:

Running balance: $1771.68
* With the exception of a few individuals, receipts for the past year have not been turned in. This is of great concern, especially if we are going to have an audit done.
* Spring clothing drive was a success. thanks to all who helped out. we discussed having spring and fall drives to benefit the community. it worked well to do it both times
... * Heartworks was able to assist Daryl Davis, who is fostering a young mother. They were in need of baby clothes and supplies.
* Katie Cyr discussed the work her sister, Maureen is doing with Heart and Sole in Kenya. Heartworks made a donation of $300 to this organization. (Gift angel: Katie Cyr)
* A donation was made to the Sarah and Katharine Liel Educational Trust, through the Bank of Bennington. Gift cards to the bookstore will also be sent to the girls. Their father, Scott, passed away unexpectedly in April. Total donation: $250 (Gift angel-Kelli Calder)
* Discussed Ashley Hoot's sister, Trista, who recently adopted a child from Haiti and is in need of assistance. Heartworks will purchase a gift card for the family that will assist with monthly expenses of food and diapers. Total donation: $250 (Gift angel: Lisa Kelly) we will forward the letter her sister sent to us, it is very touching. we connected with her at the clothes drive
* Discussed Kenny K. who is running a marathon in honor of his father who recently passed away from cancer. Hoping to raise $1000 for the foundation. Heartworks will donate: $100 (Gift angel: Lisa Kelly)
* Loree Zeif asked Heartworks to consider donating 'counseling' services to an individual who could not afford them but was in dire need to receive services. Heartworks will donate: $125 (gift angel: Loree Zeif)
* Group discussed possible fundraisers for next year: Motorcycle Ride; dances at Maple Street; partnering with Northshire Bookstore and having a guest speaker (Bobbi Bennett-The Adolescent Brain) and books sale;
* Group also discussed putting aside between $300-$400 to have an audit of our financial records done by an outside agency.

Thanks so much to those who came- it has been a busy year and we really worked hard to help a lot of people in need. We will take June- August off and then start up again in September
Hopefully we can do a fundraiser right in September to start the year. Heartworks is successful because we have a group of women who take the time to participate when they can
and we have a small group of women who always are there- helping out-- when we need many hands... it happens... when we have an intimate group we can have some amazing discussions.
Thanks to everyone who helped out this year in one way or another. This fall we will continue to have women share their stories as it really added to the intimacy and connection of the group. Let
me know if you are interested- thanks to those handful who shared this year.. Cheers everyone!!

minutes of March meeting

i am going with the abbreviated version to get this out now -

we had a great meeting - - thanks for the February opportunities that were taken care of - -
...
and thanks to the kids for raising about $150 from the bake sale...

this month we are helping gather baby stuff for Daryl Davis who is taking in 2 young girls- one has a baby and
the other is due in May-

Holly brought a bunch of stuff that will be dropped to D. tomorrow - Katie Pinkus will pass on a pack and play with basinet
and i will ask Daryl what else she needs and maybe create a list for you all to see-

Tina Dufresne will receive $100 gas card from dorr - - thanks Amy for taking on that opp- we will get a check to you this week
remember we give Dorr $80 and get $100 of gas- thanks to them for supporting Heartworks

Bonnie Kilburn will receive something from us- Julie will talk to Ann about what she thinks the needs are...

We are making a $50 donation to Make a Wish of Vermont- My friend Amy just took a trip with her son Charlie and family
from Make a wish in R.I and i think its so important to support..

Friendlys has non-profits benefit from "Friendly's FUNraising" and i am going to fill out paperwork and find out when we will have our coupons to
attract people to come buy food and we get 20%

Our main task is to get lots of hands to help set up for the clothes give-way- for people to bring in their spring , summer clothes, and to have help the next
day ( not as many people) - to clean up - -

so those are the things we are doing this month!

we really need to get the word about the clothes give-a-way - i told the VNG - can anyone write a PRESS RELEASE
INFO is just april 7th, maple street school, 8am-12 spring and summer clothes give-a-way

we have a $1400 balance

a HUGE thanks to Dina and Nina Jewelry for a $500 donation to us- and a very sincere and sweet not with it---

Amy Palmer shared some of her story tonight with us and it was perfect..... thanks AVP!

April meeting is at the end of the month!

Gratitude is one of the Heartwork's main philosophies.....

I go on and off facebook so please read these emails because not everything gets posted on there!

thanks all!!!

--
Lisa

February minutes

February 12, 2012

Heartworks Meeting –

Lauren, Amy, Victoria, Loree, Andrea, Laura, Ellen, Nina, Carol, Gloria, Carol and Lisa
...
Candle lighting and prayers – we had lots of people light with individual prayers for people.

Financial Report – Ellen donated money from piano sales, thanks

$2600 in account

Old opportunities: Basket for Joanna was well received- she is hanging in with her treatment

we will send a check to Bonnie Kilburn fund and we heard their event raised about $20,000

New Opportunities:

1) Stella- $200 - thanks Amy for taking this on- basket to be made

Remember Don Dorr will “up” any gas cards we purchase for Heartworks

2) Connie G. thanks Dagny for taking this on - $150 to fill basket

3) Wilburton Inn carriage house fire- document created by Victoria of their immediate needs- Fundraiser will be on Thursday night

document is on facebook- i will see if i can send the link here!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0945AEAC29A20-wilburton

Anything on that immediate needs list can be dropped off at Nina Mooney’s house- 123 Franklin ave by Wednesday and she will deliver- thanks to Nina..

Heartworks is doing $100 of groceries and $50 of rite- aid to both of those families who were affected by the fire.

4) Nasier and Mikhaila- Courtney is taking on that basket - $300

We discussed a Spring clothes drive and will get a date set for March or early April- we will do it so that drop off and set up is on a Friday and the event is a Saturday, Lisa will check with Maple Street School to see if we can use their gym.

Loree spoke and it was GREAT!! This part of our meeting has been so nice-

Katie Kelly offered to have a kids bake sale at Shaws and donate $ to animal shelter

Thanks to all who came, baked, shared, helped out, and for Andrea for her set up and beautiful space and teas…. I just LOVE what we all can do when we come together!

March meeting will be set soon- thanks to all who help out without showing up!!

oxox

January HW Meeting

HW Meeting 1/10/12



Present: 9
...
Lit two candles with the intention that our hearts be opened, that our words be authentic and our acts be guided.
Second Candle – pray for all serving for us overseas.
Candles for everyone with their intentions


We recapped the Decembers opportunities –

Verna lee mylott- $500 , UCS $150 to single mom, $100 to lauri’s friend( gas)

Treasurers report -

Running Balance as of 1/10/12 (including pending deposit from MSS dance): $2892.62

Gift opportunities for the month of December: $782.50
Donations to HW for the month of December: $913

Donations to HW for the month of January: $866 from Maple Street School's Middle School Dance

It was such great timing to get these unexpected gifts… thanks…

New opportunities:

Basket for Joana R. who is going through breast cancer-Please drop something off at Jans this week and next week we will supplement with our HW funds to create a basket full of love… ( spa stuff, books, flowers, etc)

We are going to make a donation to Bonnie K. “Fund” – whatever money Heartworks members donate will be matched by our HW fund- drop off in envelope at Jans.

Dagny St John – shared her story – thanks … awesome to hear- inspiring…

Next meeting – February 12th, 4pm the Ross Barn tea and treats

"Before you go to bed, write down three ‘gratefuls’ for the day and three ‘did wells’ (they can even include something as simple as doing the laundry) - the results can be amazing!"

-Carol Burnett (b.1933); Comedienne

minutes of December meeting

HW Meeting 12/11/11

4pm at the Ross Barn

Present:

Nina, Lisa, Andrea, Marybeth, Gloria, Ellen, Dagny, Holly, Liz, Teresa, Carmel, Fran, Dianna, Victoria, Loree, Courtney, Carol, Dina, Lauri, Julie C., Lyn

Andrea ran the meeting

We recapped the November opportunities –

Treasurers report - $1900

We spoke about how we went from having $22,000 and have done a lot each month since then- but now we are down a lot and still have requests – we will discuss ways in which we can raise some money again in January.

New opportunities:

Gloria read a wonderful letter written by Norene about her friend Verna Lee Mylott. We wrote a $500 check to the Manchester rescue squad and we will collect $ for gifts for the Grandchildren and other items to give in a basket to Verna Lee and family.

Lauri discussed a friend who would benefit greatly from gift cards for gas- she is driving everyday for treatments. We will collect $ and other basket items for her as well.

Laura Sienne from UCS has a request for larger clothing for a client and her single mom. Since the sizes are hard to find I think Heartworks will give a check of $150 to them to purchase at JC Penny.

- Marybeth O’Donnell shared her story and it was truly wonderful, inspiring, funny and had me thinking about staying in the day--- IAM – (latin…

We had a ton of cookies that were so yummy and we all went home with full plates.

Thanks to all for coming and next meeting will be in January. Probably on a Sunday afternoon again. TBA

January will be our 4 year anniversary! Thanks so much for all contributing to the community share in December. If you want to donate to the 2 baskets that will be passed on some time this month- please leave a monetary gift at Jans and/or something for the baskets

Otherwise, we will supplement with our HW Funds…

“Good works are links that form a chain of love” - Mother Teresa

HW News

We have a pdf of lots of furniture that has been donated and looking for homes... Thanks to Nina for doing all that -

Zippy chicks just gave us a check for $126 and that is for clothes that sold from what we gave them and/or people looking for their proceeds to go to donation. Please go support Zippy Chicks as we so thank them for what they have done for us!!

We continue to receive cards of thanks- but mostly i wanted to recognize the continued support and recognition we are getting in our community. We make a difference in a small way- we want to let people know that someone cares about them-

Random acts of kindness just help make the world a better place.

"Be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity."
- Maya Angelou

Our next meeting will be on December 11th and we will have a Holiday Cookie Swap- so bake a couple dozen... We will celebrate our connections, continue to live in gratitude and lift the spirits of all those that need it!!

minutes of November Meeting

Ross Barn @ 7pm

Lisa Kelly opened meeting thanking Jen Brenner, Olive Branch Catering, East Dorset for the delicious food & soup and Jan, New Morning Natural Food, for the beautiful cake

Introductions

October's Opportunities in review

• Nina spoke about Clothes from the Heart, we served about 100 people, learned of new individual needs, wrote a check to JC Penny for a family whose clothing needs couldn't be met. Leftover clothes were redistributed to other organizations. Summer clothes being stored by Andrea. We will consider doing a summer clothing give away this spring after the snow melts.
• Debbie spoke about Barn Day. Brett was the recipient of much of the furniture including 4 bedroom sets. After flood victims needs were met barn contents opened to others. Only 3-4 bed frames remain. Laurie Z mentioned Bromley Brook still has furniture items to get rid of
• Dagny spoke on Green Mtn. Luncheon. She was kept busy by giving 8 treatments. Very special for Dagny as people opened up and told stories while getting a treatment. We collected a bushel of candy to give to the neighborhood in time for Halloween. Received cards of thanks.

Treasurer's Rpt

• $4500 on hand

• $2700 donated

• $500 rec'd

November Opportunities

• Child's size 12 winter boots
• Women's size 9 winter boots
• Family living in a trailer in substandard repair and family member w/ leukemia
• Community Share: we will commit to two families

Lisa then distributed opportunities for "Angels"

• Clean Arlington House: Mary S.
• Food Cupboard $400 dollar donation: Julie NOTE: in springtime Feinstein Foundation makes financial contributions to food cupboard. CFC serves approx. 300 families
• Gary G. $100 basket: Teresa
• Jamar $100 basket: Kim
• Cliff H. $500 boiler: Paul K
• Andy D $50 restaurant certificate: Nina
• Andy T $50 restaurant certificate: Victoria
• Steve P.
• Delbarton School for boys in NJ. Kids want to do "something": Laurie Z
• John and Verna M.: Gloria
• Linda and Nelson K. Debbie
• Mary K's brother in law: Teresa
• Eden Z. Bedroom set
• Two advisories @ Maple Street School: 1) Afghanistan 2) Heartworks

December Meeting Day and Time will change to Sunday afternoon; watch for announcement

Kim spoke and told her story and read from her book, "Inertia"

Clothes from the Heart -

Emily C. helps today by sharing food with kids
who had parents there getting clothes- She was a
great help!

Today in Manchester-

How Heart works works......

someone had an idea for a clothes drive (Carmel) - everyone and their friends donate-
Jan collects items and A Safe Place donates storage to gather out there -
Debbie goes out to storage and sorts and separates- along with spending time organizing her barn full of stuff!
LTS kids and their fearless leader Courtney C. come over to Maple street during the day Friday
Kids at Maple street take recess time or study hall time, move to the music and sort-
all the ladies and kids work from after school friday til 7pm , gathering,sorting , setting up
Saturday am. Ellen K. is up early making dozens of donuts ( of which i had 3) - she delivered to us
and to the Barn- i know that the barn got rid of a lot of stuff and Debbie can elaborate on that-
Doors open up at 9am at Maple street but people are there at 8:30- the first hour we had about 100 people
come through- Nina, Carol, Kelli, Liz, Teresa, Nancy T., Dagny, Cara, Heidi G., Erin., Andrea, i am tired if i forgot anyone let
me know- One woman said to me "Its so nice to not to have to say No to my kids"
as her daughter held up a shirt and said can i get this Mom- Heartworks got to write a $200 check to JC Penny to a parent who
couldn't find snow pants for her children who were of larger sizes, she traveled from Poultney. Another Mom talked about her son who
served in Iraq and is now disabled and how nice it is to get stuff for his kids... We gave a check to a Mom whose twins lost their bikes
down the Jamaica river- they were going to the bike store in town. we serviced a lot of people today-probably close to 200
there were lots left over but it is going to Brattleboro women's shelter, Helping hands, blankets etc to the Animal hospital, Burlington
(Thanks Courtney W) Bennington, Zippy chicks, and more- Watching Kelly Moran and Will Calder push bags on the stage- was so great- as they are learning to help - Thanks Don for the burrito lunch from Cilantro - Thanks Maple street for the facility and thanks to everyone who contributed in some way or another- we are lucky to live in such a community!! Keep passing it on and stay in the gratitude of knowing that together
we can make a difference..... oxox

2 events down- Luncheon tomorrow- pizzas, desserts, drinks etc. at Valley Pass in the Green mountain neighborhood! 12pm
Drop off candy with Jan if you can! thanks so much all....

Clothes from the Heart -

Clothes from the Heart

October 22nd- 9am-1pm Maple street school Gymnasium

Free warm winter clothes for all that need it!

meeting minutes

Heartworks - 10/4/11 Meeting – Minutes -

Taken by Carmel

Intro

Lisa Kelly spoke briefly about the tremendous growth spurt Heartworks has experienced as a result of help we were able to give in the aftermath of hurricane Irene. She showed an organizational chart that outlined the basic work groups the organization needs, including chair people needed. The groups are:

Treasurer - Kelly Calder

Public Relations - position open

Communications - position open

Annual Events - position open

Monthly Angel Projects - position open

Treasurer’s Report

Since Hurricane Irene we have taken in $22,760.

We have given out $13,763.00

Expenses (related to making up gift baskets) - $255.

Remaining in Treasury - $8741.

Old Business

Lisa read a sampling of Thank you notes from people we were able to assist.

New Business

· Clothes from the Heart scheduled for Saturday, October 22nd at Maple Street School

· Debbie Cyr volunteered to co-ordinate this event. A list was circulated for volunteers for CFTH.

· Set up will be 10/21. We will sort a couple times in the next couple weeks.

· Anecdotal evidence suggests we have way more than previous years and we’ve expanded to linens.

The Barn - Debbie Cyr was introduced and thanked for the use of her barn and for her time in collecting furniture and household goods.

· There are more deliveries expected from several sources including mattresses from Bromley Brook, and appliances from a house Nina is re-doing

THE BARN IS NOW FULL AS OF TODAY! PLEASE NO MORE DELIVERIES

· Geoff Chamberlain and his students are scheduled to inventory the barn

· We may provide a sign up sheet at CFTH for potential recipients.

· A date hasn’t been set yet for the event.

New Needs

· Discussion and agreement on the need for anonymity of our recipients

· Discussed the need for better documentation as our requests and distributions grow.

· Lisa read some letters for requests and asked for “angels” to help distribute gift cards etc. They were:

· Sarah Bassett- Jamaica- Pikes falls rd.

JR-– Gloria delivering

ED – Liz delivering

H. – Nina delivering an RK Miles gift certificate

· Mary Sikes described how gratifying it was for her to be able to bring some help to Londonderry.

· Andrea gave an explanation of the standardized “needs’ application that will be on our web site that we are encouraged to use going forward.

· The next Group event will be a Sunday event (10/23) for the people in the Green Mountain development. It was suggested that Anne Lemke be asked to help coordinate since she is a member and lives in the neighborhood. This will be a luncheon and candy supplementing ...

· Cara Melbourne an Ameriprise volunteer and Collaborative employee presented a program that she is developing for a community garden for students at the Flood Brook school. The real work won’t begin until after the new year but people could swap contact info with her now. She is available at: cara@thecollaborative.us

Business portion of the meeting came to an end. As a spiritual component of the group, a reading from the book “Broken Open” was read and Andrea Ross shared one of her life experiences that she felt made her more aware of her own ability to be compassionate and to extend that compassion to those she came in contact with.

www.vtheartworks.org is our website

please send me your email address- to vt.heartworks@gmail.com

so I can compile our local list- I am going to work on only emailing or sending a facebook message to those locals here that come to meetings and only when its needed. Otherwise, check the calendar for our upcoming events!

SEE YOU ALL AT NOV 1^ST MEETING- KIM COPE TAIT IS SET TO SPEAK TOO!

Meetings

Monthly meeting this Tuesday, Oct 4th
7pm

New address

Heartworks of Vermont
PO BOX 1624
Manchester Ctr. VT 05255

What's happening now

In the last few weeks we went from having $400 in our account to around $20,000.
A big thanks to all who had contributed and helped out at our fundraiser where we raised the majority of money. We had the best sponsor, Ai Squared, and all the hands that helped make this event happen.
We are currently in the process of giving money, gift certificates, baskets, cards , flowers and more to many that were affected by the flooding from Hurricane Irene. We are gifting people anything from $100-$1000. We have given to so many towns including: Manchester, E. Arlington, Arlington, Jamaica, E. Jamaica,E.Dorset, Williamsville, Brattleboro, Cuttingsville, and will continue to do so...
Thanks so much to all the "angels" who have take money and created baskets of love. Most importantly, it is amazing to watch the community come together in this time of need and help out. Blessings to all!
And the help will continue.
We are selling t-shirts for $15 - will deliver....

VPR News: Heartworks Volunteers Head To Jamaica

VPR News: Heartworks Volunteers Head To Jamaica

reflection and thanks

I taught Spanish so I am not so great at writing but i wanted to express a sincere thanks to those who have helped this past week after Hurricane Irene has wreaked havoc on so many towns in Vermont. The ladies of Heartworks have come together this week to gather hygeniene kits, school supplies, water, food, money, art supplies and lots of baked goods. I just got back from Jamaica , Vermont where the community came together and enjoyed a day of food, giving, sharing and talking. Blake Moran and Becky Coleman spent 4 hours in the center of Jamaica giving massages to many exhausted locals. Dagny helped with body work as well for a long time. Julie, Patty, Brad, Claire, Aryn, MaryBeth, and Mark started out the day making about 75 sandwiches. Nina, Dina, Carmel, Jen Ringe and others dropped off supplies to get to Jamaica-- we drove over and supplemented a community picnic that Jamar organizes for his locals... We dropped sandwiches to the workers, water, desserts - Some of our food was stored for tomorrow's meal- Items were set up at a free table where many locals took for themselves- fresh zucchini bread- banana bread, fruits and other stuff - Then, Laura, Jen and I loaded up a van and went to Wardsboro and West Wardsboro where we saw more destruction, red cross had finally visited the fire department and we also dropped water and fruit to the national guard. The clerk at Wardsboro had lost her house as well and when we drove by her, the man who rented her the house, was with her- and helping her "move" and he said- "She just lost her house and needs everything" so we pulled over and loaded her up with the boxes that were in our back. She was so appreciative and had a very hard time accepting the stuff. Laura said to her "Its just friends helping friends." My last week has been hectic physically and emotionally but it doesn't even compare to these folks that have lost so much. I have a whole new respect for community. It was amazing to be a part of this small piece of helping Jamaica and beyond. The response to the Heartworks call for help has been incredible.... I thank you all.... and I know that the needs will continue....Watching these communities come together in this time of need teaches me that there is nothing that we cannot overcome... together... Thanks again everyone!

Houses lost in Jamaica, VT

Meetings

we had an emergency meeting after Irene and are currently delivering goods, needed items to Jamaica , Vermont- They were hit hard by the flooding and lost 4 houses along Water street. We had Brett Morrison come talk to our group and he talked about what some of their needs may be- we are in phase I of the needs and will continue to support the rebuilding of Jamaica.

We have a fundraiser on Sept. 10 th where all the proceeds go to people that have suffered great loss because of the flooding.

Our website is being fixed right now and we have mainly been using our Heartworks of Vermont Facebook page-

I will update this more when i have the chance-

Thanks for learning about us- we are one chapter of Heartworks. The original chapter started in NJ- The Founder , Megan McDowell, can be located at www.njheartworks.org