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

basket

thanks to Heartworks and our money we put together a wonderful basket for the Fifields -

keep Jacob in your prayers!

see you all in the fall!!

HIKE for Heartworks

when: April 23rd
where: Trailhead off w. union behind Equinox hotel
Time: 9am

Bring $5 or canned goods for The Community Food Cupboard

Come join us for a great hike in the woods! Connecting for Community!!

march meeting

Heartworks of Vermont
minutes of March meeting
present: Julie O., Laura B., Victoria, Melissa W., Carol S., Nina, Carol D., Lisa and Kelli

Kelli, dynamic treasurer, reported that we have $446.00

we recognized that checks were sent last month to Charbonneau family and Herir family and our basket to Mary was happily received and much appreciated!

this month we had talked about doing something for Japan - but nothing was set - like we did for Haiti - Courtney had organized that one.

we discussed making a donation to the Deets/ MacDonald family and it now seems that an address was given to Kelli and she will send that out- thanks- KC!

Also, we talked about getting the 15 high school students from BBA who are part of a service learning committee, HW jr. and they need ideas - we discussed having them run an Easter egg hunt and that may be with the Rec.

and if anyone knows of someone that would benefit from a spring clean-up - please let us know...

**We talked about a HIKE FOR HUNGER - and we are aiming to do that on April 24th - with a couple hikes - one summiting Equinox, and another will be hike around the trails - More details to come!!

**We talked about getting T-shirts made for all the events we do- with the HW logo- I will see Rhonda at Real Sports

** We discussed having a BBA kid do a better website for community service

**Nina showed a bracelet that a friend made that we could buy and sell for Heartworks - and it is cool looking.

Thanks to all who attended!! great snacks, drinks and fun to connect! it all continues to work as we hang together to , pray for those in need, especially Japan right now, and do what we can.