2023 Coins for Community Organization Voting

Vote now for your town’s monthly Coins for Community partners for April 2023 – March 2024! Poll closes March 15th at 5pm.

Organization Info

Locally Social Gives, Inc.

We are a newly established non-profit designed for 100% of money raised through fundraisers to be used in our local community for members in need. Whether a fire, a death in the family, scholarship funds, unexpected medical expenses, car repairs, etc. our goals are to help! Our board consists of 8 local community members that will decide how funds are used in the NEK. Our motto, It Feels Good To Do Good, is the truth and we have goals to encourage positivity and giving back. Just like the White Market had done. Thank you! Funds will be used for local families and individuals in times of unexpected trauma or crisis. All funds are to be directed to those in need within the Northeast Kingdom, but specifically, the St Johnsbury area.

Friends for Life Dog Rescue

Friends for Life Dog Rescue is a non profit 501c. We are a foster based rescue serving the North East Kingdom of VT. We were established in 2021 and received our first furry friend July of 2021. Since then we have adopted over 20 dogs!! We have helped our neighbors in the NEK with dog food, dog houses and hay that is much needed all year round but especially in the winter. We have been able to provide training and support to owners that thought rehoming was their only option. But were able to keep their dogs in their home. We have spoken at schools and have been a part of after school programs that help educate children in the NEK about proper care of dogs and dog body language. Dogs are loyal, wonderful companions. Given resources, education, support and help we hope to not be needed someday. But until that day comes we help dogs and owners. We believe that it takes a community to make a change and we believe that you have to be part of that community! People helping people. A domino effect. Friends for Life uses donations for our rescue dogs medical needs such as but not limited to vaccinations, spa/neuter, prescriptions, preventative care and any other medical attention. Funds are also used for the Dog House Program that helps to build and buy adequate shelter and hay for “”outside”” dogs in the cold Vt winters. Funds would also help to buy heat and electricity to the 3 kennel building that is owned by FFLDR. Funds are used for basic operations and funding of the rescue.”

Northeast Kingdom Cancer Action Network

Raising money and awareness for those fighting cancer in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Details on our site as well. www.nekcan.org We provide financial assistance to local cancer patients.

The Lyndon Farmers Market

Located in beautiful Bandstand Park, the Lyndon Farmers Market takes place every Friday, June through mid October. Vendors come together from the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and North Country of New Hampshire to offer a large variety of local products to our local community and visitors to our area. Seasonal fresh produce, baked goods, jams and jellies, coffee, eggs, soaps, prepared foods, meats and crafts. The market supports over 30 vendors by providing them a space and atmosphere to sell their products and interact with the community. It also supports the community as a whole by providing shoppers with a place to access local products made and produced right here in our area. The market also supports local music by hiring a different musician each week. You can come stock up for the week on products grown and produced by your neighbors, catch up with friends, get dinner from one of our food vendors and sit on the grass as you enjoy live music!” The Lyndon Farmers Market would use funds to support all aspects of our operations. Funds would help us hire local musicians to play each week, making our market a fun and festive event in addition to supporting the local music scene and musicians in our area. Additionally funds would be used to support our EBT machine and associated costs of running that program. This allows us to help all shoppers access the market and its products. Remaining funds would go to all the fees and expenses associated with running a market such as park fees, signage, organization fees, advertising, equipment and general costs.

Field, Farm and Forest

Field, Farm and Forest is a educational 501-3c organization founded in 2013 with the mission of providing nature connection opportunities for children and families in the NEK. We are currently based in the former East Haven school where we run a licensed childcare for 3-6 year olds as well as homeschooling programs for 8-10 year olds and summer camps for 3-12 year olds. Throughout the year, we offer opportunities for our children to visit local farms in order to help with vegetable harvest and animal care, and last spring we partnered with North Branch Nature Center to initiate a citizen science conservation project to map amphibian road crossings. In all that we do, we aim to instill a love of the outdoors and the natural world by bringing kids out into nature for large chunks of time (sometimes all day!) to explore and play. We believe very strongly in the importance of child-led learning, movement, and the arts in childhood and our programs strive to counteract the negative effects of “”nature deficit disorder””. As our mission states, “”we cultivate curiosity, community, and nature connection”” simply by allowing children time and space to “”be kids”” in the natural world. We are the only local organization that embraces the teaching practices of “”forest schools”” and “”forest kindergartens”” around the world. In this digital age where the mental health and behavioral issues of children are on the rise, we believe the antidote is to ‘bring back childhood’ and connection to the natural world. Over the past decade, we have served hundreds of families from all over the NEK and beyond. By being out in nature with experienced, progressive teachers who embrace outdoor education and whole-child learning, our kids are happy, grounded, and better able to face the social, emotional and academic challenges that might arise in their lives. You can learn more about our mission, programs, and history by visiting our website, fieldfarmandforest.org, or by finding us on Facebook and Instagram. If we are awarded this opportunity to receive funds, we would apply them to two areas: tuition scholarships and citizen science initiatives. The majority of the funds would go towards scholarships for families who might be hesitant to enroll their child(ren) in a nature-based program because of cost. We would also use the funds to help us maintain and expand our citizen science initiatives. Our partnership with North Branch Nature Center, for instance, requires a yearly fee to maintain Amphibian Road Crossing Program delivery, coordination and data management. Other community science initiatives require our teachers to undergo professional development training which often require a fee.”

Kingdom Recovery Center

Kingdom Recovery Center provides critical free programs for people in recovery from alcoholism/substance misuse disorder, and their families. The Center is supported through state and regional grants, as well as private donations. We offer peer support, skill building, recreation, wellness education, employment readiness, and social activities in a safe, welcoming, and alcohol/drug free environment. The Center also provides information, education, and assistance to the community on how to access addiction treatment and will help people navigate complex insurance and treatment issues. At Kingdom Recovery Center, individuals and families can receive services such as peer-led addiction and recovery support groups; family support and resources; life skills training; linkage with community resources; health and wellness activities; community service opportunities; and education and vocational services. Funds received will support our Recovery Fund! These funds support the recreational activities our center provides to community participants seeking and sustaining recovery from alcoholism and addiction at no cost. These funds also provide gas stipends for volunteers who provide transportation to and from treatment centers and other recovery related support.

The St. Johnsbury Band

The St. Johnsbury Band is a non profit 501 c 3 organization that provides free summer concerts in St. Johnsbury and occasionally in Lyndonville. All concerts are free and open to the public, are weather permitting and most are from the bandstand in Courthouse Park, Main Street, St. Johnsbury. Local sponsors offer free ice cream socials at most or all of these concerts. Members range in age from high school to senior citizens. If you can read music and have a concert band type instrument, you can join the band for free. Contact manager@st.johsnburyband.org for details. The band plays a mixture of music from historic marches and overtures to musicals, show tunes and concert band arrangements of Eric Clapton, Queen, the Beach Boys and many others. Gardians of the Galaxy is a fun piece we are rehearsing now. Every summer concert offers a new program, so if you attend all of them you will hear ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ but only once. The band was organized in 1830 and is the 3rd oldest continually operating band in the United States. We need funds for the purchase of new music and new band uniforms. We would like to promote the free concerts more on social media so attendance increases.

The Lyndonville Rotary club

The Lyndonville Rotary club was founded 72 years ago in 1951. We are a service organization whose motto is “”Service above self.”” The work we do impacts a wide range of local community organizations and needs. We provide financial help to many non-profit groups and organizations in our area who request money. We are also a working group of people who give of our time to provide in-kind services to make our community a better place to live, grow and raise families. Brief description of the use of funds. During the past year we have provided financial help to these community groups and organizations: NVRH Neighbors in Action Caledonia County Fair Powers Park H.O.P.E. Lyndon Meal Site Hand To Hand Caledonia Hockey Club Fenton Chester Arena The Santa Fund Lyndon Town School Prosper Program Sanborn Bridge Revitalization Project Trunk of Treat toothbrushes for kids Flowers and their care at the welcome signs at each end of Lyndonville In kind projects by Rotary Club members: Unloading monthly delivery of food for Neighbors In Action Mowing and maintenance of The Path Around Lyndon Volunteer work at the Caledonia County Fair Maintenance projects at Powers Park.

The NEK Council on Aging

The NEK Council on Aging, founded in 1979, is dedicated to serving older and disabled residents of the Northeast Kingdom by providing the tools to age well. Our services extend across all three NEK counties (Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans) and support nutrition/meals, wellness programs, independent living/case management, caregiver support, State Health Insurance/SHIP/Medicare, transportation, fuel and utility assistance, technology support, options counseling, and information and referral (via the helpline). Every week, over 1,200 residents receive home delivered meals and congregate meals with the help of 15 senior meal sites throughout the NEK. The planned use of proceeds for the Coins for Community program will be used to provide the financial support where federal and state funding falls short. These can include but are not limited to nutrition support, fuel assistance, utility assistance, and transportation. Last year, donations helped to provide $27,000 in assistance for these needs.

The Burke Senior Meal site

The Burke Senior Meal site has been providing nutritious meals to seniors since 1993. In 2022 we delivered over 5000 meals to those who are homebound, and served over 3000 in-house meals. The meal site also provides other activities to enrich the lives of seniors. We offer activities such as exercise classes, arts and crafts, line dancing, bingo, and more. We provide information to keep our seniors informed on current events, health and legal matters, and other issues facing seniors today. The funds would used for: Meal costs – food, trays and other supplies specific to providing inhouse and delivered meals Enrichment activities for our seniors A smaller portion could help us to raise awareness of the Senior Meal Site and the services we offer

Caledonia Christian School

We are Caledonia Christian School, a local non-profit in St. Johnsbury that has served the local community since 1959. We have partnered with White Market since 2004 for our annual thanksgiving food drive and for the last 2 years on our annual community awareness program which allows us to put a table in the St. J store and bring awareness to the community for our school and religious programs. Our school is part of the worldwide Adventist education system which continually produces among the best educated children and young adults annually in the US and other countries, especially those individuals that thrive in a low student/teacher ratio environment. We are certified to educate children from K-10 and currently have 12 students in our K-8 program. All funds that would be derived from this program would be put directly into our worthy student fund which is used to help offset the cost of education for all our students as well as provide enhanced opportunities for students that come from lower-income families. Currently the annual cost for one student to attend our school is $4500 and our worthy student fund helps to keep this cost manageable for by providing grants and scholarships to all students whose parents apply and provide proof of income.

The Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium

The Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium is a small natural history museum in St. Johnsbury, VT. Our mission is to inspire wonder, curiosity, and responsibility for the natural world. The Museum’s programs, exhibits, and activities serve multi-generational audiences with targeted outreach to underserved communities through partnerships with schools, libraries, and community centers. All Fairbanks Museum programs promote curiosity about and keen observation of the natural world. The Museum’s core interpretive focus is on natural history and ecology, weather and climate, and astronomy. We hope to use the funds for scholarships for our summer camps. This will enable children who would normally not be able to afford it, to enjoy our engaging and educational summer offerings like our Discovery Camps for ages 4-8 and our Drones and Robots Camps for ages 9-14.

SHARES Corporation

SHARES Corporation is a 501(c)3 non-profit based out of Lyndonville that assists those throughout the Northeast Kingdom who are homeless or struggling with food insecurity. SHARES meets the immediate needs of these individuals and families by providing limited clothing such as hats, gloves, and socks, pet food, hygiene items, and survival items such as tents, tarps, and blankets. SHARES also has a food shelf that is accessible to anyone in the NEK who is experiencing food insecurity. Through our partnership with the Vermont Foodbank, we were able to assist approximately 150 people with food during 2022. However, this number may be more as SHARES also fills the Community Fridge in St. Johnsbury roughly three times a week and it is unknown how many people access this fridge each time it is filled. All of our work is done through volunteers and donations as we currently are not funded by the local, state, or federal government.” ” Funds raised through the Coins for Community would help SHARES to continue to purchase food from our partner, The Vermont Foodbank to fill our food shelf. It would also allow us to support local grocery stores and/or small businesses such as bakeries so that we can purchase items that we don’t typically get from the Foodbank such as bread and milk. Remaining funds would be used to purchase more sleeping bags, tarps, and tents for those who are currently unhoused.”

Kingdom Community Services

Each family or individual in need is provided with a variety of grocery selections; canned goods, frozen foods, meat, and staples. Also provided are bread, dairy, fresh produce, personal hygiene items and pet food. ** Thanksgiving boxes with a turkey and all the fixins are provided each November. Free Meal Sites Families and individuals receive free tasty and nutritious noon meals and a chance to relax and socialize with others. – Meals generally consist of a protein, starch such as rice or potatoes, vegetables, cold drink, hot coffee or tea, and dessert. A vegetarian option is usually available. The UCC friday lunch has sandwiches, a drink, and a cookie. – A team of supervised and trained volunteers cook the meals, serve the customers, receive donations, and maintain the facilities. Meal Site volunteer CoOrdinators oversee the operation. Each site has a certified ServSafe® volunteer overseeing the food preparation. – We offer 4 meals per week at different locations. Funds are used to purchase food for the Food Shelf.

Catamount Arts

For nearly 50 years, Catamount Arts has worked to make the arts a fundamental part of community life. In 2022, we offered 11 free summer concerts in two St. Johnsbury locations, three family-friendly street fairs, seven gallery exhibitions (including three in multiple downtown locations), over 400 weekly matinees for adults and children (many of them free of charge), 17 arts education classes and workshops for adults and children, 24 Metropolitan Opera screenings, 18 National Theatre Live broadcasts, and over 17 events including camps and live music events at the multipurpose Catamount ArtPort in the Green Mountain Mall. The KCP Presents Performing Arts Series, as always, brought the world to our community: theater from Switzerland, ballet from New York City, gospel from South Africa, polyphonic singing from Norway, the philharmonic orchestra from Ukraine, acrobats from China, and drummers from Japan played in the same schools, colleges, and churches where our friends, families, and neighbors commune every day. We also welcomed back the in-person First Night North New Year’s Eve celebration of the arts which brought nearly 200 performers in nearly 80 family-friendly shows to twelve St. Johnsbury venues for thousands of community members. In addition to integrating arts into the fabric of our community’s daily life via live shows, screenings, classes, workshops, exhibitions, and more, Catamount programming generates more than $1.5M each year to the local economy, playing a key role in the Northeast Kingdom’s long-term vibrancy and sustainability. Our mission is to inspire appreciation of and participation in the Arts, promote the Arts throughout the region, and cultivate the Arts as an integral part of community life, and community members in the NEK help us to make it all possible. The funds received from this coins for community round up program will go to support our Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Series at Dog Mountain. The series, which features 10 or more concerts during the summer months, began in the summer of 2017 and has had strong community support and attendance every year since — with the exception of 2020 when we had to cancel. In the summer of 2022, community members welcomed us back again with open arms in two locations: Dog Mountain for eight spectacular Sunday evening concerts, and on Railroad Street in St. Johnsbury for three street-fair style “Final Friday” community events. In the summer of 2023, community members can expect to, once again, attend concerts featuring national and global artists of all genres on late Sunday afternoons throughout the summer months up at Dog Mountain, and on the Final Friday of each summer month on Railroad Street in St. Johnsbury in collaboration with Discover St. Johnsbury and the Town of St. Johnsbury. Your support will help keep the Arts vital and available to all Northeast Kingdom residents, boosting our creative economy for a more vibrant, sustainable community! Thank you for your support!

Friends of Dog Mountain

Friends of Dog Mountain (FODM) is a non-profit organization established in 2015 by the friends and family of late American artists Stephen and Gwen Huneck. The organization’s mission is to preserve and sustain the 150-acre Dog Mountain property in Vermont as a unique national treasure, honoring the healing power of “”dogs, nature, love, and art”” and celebrating the important artistic contributions of Stephen Huneck. FODM aims to restore Dog Mountain as an historic, cultural, and artistic treasure of national importance and fulfill the Hunecks’ vision of creating a place of healing through nature, love, art, and pets. FODM recognizes Dog Mountain as an internationally recognized and celebrated destination for dog lovers and their families and seeks to preserve and curate Stephen’s artistic creations for future generations to enjoy. FODM also sees Dog Mountain as a valued economic and community partner and seeks to collaborate with local municipalities, businesses, and nonprofits to benefit the local communities and economies of St. Johnsbury and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.” ” Friends of Dog Mountain (FODM) will use funds raised from White Market’s Coins for Community program to further its mission of preserving and sustaining the Dog Mountain property in Vermont. The funds will be used to support the maintenance and improvement of the trails, facilities, and infrastructure on the property. This may include trail maintenance and improvements, upgrades to the Stephen Huneck Gallery, and the preservation of the Dog Chapel and other important features of the mountain. Additionally, FODM may use the funds to support educational and outreach programs, community events, and other initiatives that promote the mission and vision of the organization. Ultimately, the funds from White Market’s Coins for Community program will help FODM to continue its work in preserving Dog Mountain as a unique and important community resource.”

The Peacham School PTF

The Peacham School PTF Support school activities academic and extracurricular activities such as winter wellness. Parents Teachers Friends of the Peacham School support the school by funding extracurricular activities such as gymnastics, skiing, academic supplies, etc.

Lyndon Youth Basketball

Lyndon Youth Basketball is a non-profit organization whose mission is to teach, develop, organize, manage and offer youth players the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills of basketball while instilling life-lessons and values such as character, teamwork, discipline, respect and sportsmanship at the grade levels of third to sixth and competition. Biddy Ball, a program developed by Lyndon Youth Basketball, mission is to teach, develop, organize, manage and offer youth players the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills of basketball while instilling life-lessons and values such as character, teamwork, discipline, respect and sportsmanship at the grade levels of Kindergarten to second grade. This program uses smaller basketballs and lowered hoops and is taught through the community service of the Lyndon Institute Varsity Boys and Girls Teams. Lyndon Youth Basketball wants to provide as many young athletes the opportunity and chance to develop their skills, learn life lessons and enjoy the game of basketball. Opportunities are available for a recreational player looking to enhance their skills while playing for fun to an advanced player with a competitive desire and passion to become a complete player both physically and mentally. Player development is stressed and disciplined, team-oriented play is emphasized. Practice time is provided to enhance the skills of each player with the goal and vision of having players ready to play at the high school level. In order to utilize multiple gymnasium locations, we would first and foremost use these funds to secure our liability insurance. We would also utilize funds to provide scholarships for youth whom may otherwise not be able to fund their registration fee. Funds would also be used so that we do not need to raise our registration fees due to inflation and costs increasing. Our goal is for this league to be accessible to all youth and we have never turned a player away because they couldn’t pay. Other uses may include: *Purchasing extra sneakers for those who don’t have them or forget them *Securing patched referees *Tournament entry fees *Ice packs and first aid *Basketballs *Maintenance of Biddy Ball hoop in need of repair

The St. Johnsbury America Legion Post 58

The St. Johnsbury America Legion Post 58 is pleased to submit our application for the White Market’s Coins for Community Organization. We would be honored to be a participant in this program. The American Legion is America’s largest veterans service organization whose members work every day to uphold time-honored values. The American Legion is built on a promise from men and women who swore with their lives to defend and protect the United States through military service. The promise begins at enlistment, grows through training and discipline in the U.S. Armed Forces and continues after discharge, as veterans in service to community, state, and nation. In times of crisis, The American Legion steps into the turmoil and fights to provide needed assistance for others. Veterans in need of advocates to help them achieve meaningful careers, education, health-care services, friends, and stable homes are supported every day, free of charge, by The American Legion. The St. Johnsbury American Legion Post 58, a NEK based organization, follows and maintains the integrity of the national mission. Our Post members work together to provide local support to our dedicated veterans who deserve our assistance. The Post’s roster includes veterans who served our country along with members whose family members served in a military capacity. The Post contributes monetary assets and people resources to help local charities, and individuals or families who can benefit from our efforts. Some of our efforts are annual commitments and in some cases, we assist with time sensitive projects including natural disasters or helping an ill veteran. Our members are also very generous and contribute personal funds to our efforts, when needed. Here is a list of some of our current year to date contributions to our veterans and the local community. The Post can provide references if the organization would like more detail on any of these efforts. 1. The Post’s annual holiday/Christmas gift program. Gifts (Toys) are purchased and wrapped by our members and given to the Academy who manages a list of local families who need assistance during the holidays. In 2022, the Post, with the help of partner organizations, provided gifts to more than 40 local families. 2. American Legion Boys & Girls State. This participatory program is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. 3. Support our Troops. Members of the Post prepare care package boxes to ship to our overseas troops. 4. St. Johnsbury Baseball and Softball Field. The St. Johnsbury post members maintain the fields and sponsorship signage. 5. Dodge House for Veterans. The goal of the Dodge House is to provide Veterans who are experiencing homelessness with a specific program that is tailored to meet their needs and is mutually agreed upon by the resident, the staff and the referral source for the veteran. 6. Sullycat Golf Tournament Participation. The Sullycat foundation provides financial assistance to local families in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and Northern New Hampshire who have a loved one suffering from cancer. 7. Local School Support. Education on our Dedicated Troops. Post members visit the St. Johnsbury elementary school to share the responsibilities and duties of our armed services. 8. Food Drives. The Post participates in local food drives by providing food for families in need around Thanksgiving and Christmas. If the American Legion St. Johnsbury Post is selected to be the recipient of these funds, our Post will have an opportunity to enhance our outreach program to provide additional resources to deserving veterans and citizens. Our current funding is achieved through local fundraising events such as raffles, bake sales and yard sales, and with the extra infusion of funds, the Post could accelerate our program to extend our reach. This will give the Post the ability to fund additional local needs that have unfortunately been outside of the current budget.

Kingdom Animal Shelter

Kingdom Animal Shelter is a limited access, mostly all volunteer, non-profit certified 501(c) (3), animal rescue organization. Our mission is to facilitate the placement of rescued, abandoned, abused or neglected animals in safe, life-long homes. We respect the inherent value of every animal in our care and we strive to prevent overpopulation and cruelty to animals. The funds will be used for the animals at the Kingdom Animal Shelter, including food, litter, medical care.

The Cobleigh Library Bookmobile

The Cobleigh Library Bookmobile is the outreach arm of the Cobleigh Library. It travels around the Northeast Kingdom bringing books, storytimes, and events for daycares, afterschool programs, senior centers, and others who have difficulty getting to the library. The bookmobile is entirely funded by grants and donations. The funds raised will be used to help keep the bookmobile on the road, delivering the library to people around the Northeast Kingdom.

Vermont Children’s Theater

For 30 summers, Vermont Children’s Theater (VCT) offers a safe, healthy, no-cost theater experience for NEK youth during the high-risk summer season. Traditionally, we produce 3 musicals each year for ages 7-10, 11-13 and 14-19, and every young person who auditions is cast in a show. Our programs are very popular and most years our cast size for each show is 40-60 youth. We create a full-scale musical–costumes, music direction, live accompaniment, professional lighting and sound-for each group. VCT is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 organization. We offer stipends to our show directors, but the rest of the organization is run by our Board of Directors, youth, alumni and parents. Our shows are presented in our barn theater on Darling Hill Road in Lyndonville, which promotes a summer camp atmosphere. Our policy of inclusiveness and our ability to produce excellent live theater demonstrates to youth and the community the importance of arts education in the overall educational development of children. At VCT we believe we are responsible for reaching out to youth and families who may not otherwise have access to the unique artistic and educational experiences theater provides. We will utilize Coins for Community funds to maintain our free programming to all NEK families and youth ages 7-19. Funds will specifically be used to help pay for scripts, production licenses/royalties and stipends for our directors.

NVRH Community Unmet Needs Fund

Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) is a community, not for profit, acute care, critical access hospital (which is a federal designation for hospitals in support of ensuring access to care in rural regions). Located in St. Johnsbury, our service area includes Caledonia County and a portion of Essex County with a total population of approximately 30,000. Our robust rural health system includes a 25-bed critical access hospital, multiple primary care clinics, express care walk-in clinics, specialty and surgical services, birth center, community health programs, and a 24-hour physician-staffed emergency department. NVRH’s commitment to a lifetime of health and well-being extends beyond our hospital walls through community health initiatives aimed at keeping our community healthy throughout life. White Market has always been a valued and generous community partner to NVRH. Thank you for considering including us in your 2023 program. Donations through the Coins for Community program will support the NVRH Community Unmet Needs Fund – 100% of all gifts will go directly to helping people in need in our community. Small things can make a big different for those in need: A gas card to get to a medical appointment; a pair of winter boots; a grocery card for diapers; a pair of eyeglasses repaired; help with installing a handicapped ramp. The Community Unmet Needs Fund, managed by the NVRH Community Connections Program, stands ready to help people in small ways that promote health and wellness in big ways.

Caring for the Heart

Caring for the Heart – New England is a nonprofit that offers personal, premarital, marital, and family counseling without cost. CFTH-NE serves the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and Northwestern New Hampshire. CFTH-NE has been assisting individuals, couples, and families for 13 years. These funds would help make counseling resources available to even more people in this area.

St. Johnsbury Meals on Wheels Program

We are St. Johnsbury Meals on Wheels Program. Serving the towns of St. Johnsbury, Waterford, Passumpsic, East St. Johnsbury. Our meals are cooked and package daily in the St. Johnsbury House. We only have 3 staff and 15 volunteers In 2022 we provide 38,153 meals to the most vulnerable in our community Our meals cost us $7.00 with an average donation of less than 75 cents per meal. If we are chosen for one of the community partner the money we receive will go directly to the food budget

Discover St. Johnsbury

Since 2002, Discover St. Johnsbury (previously known as the St. Johnsbury Chamber of Commerce) has stimulated and promoted the vitality of St. Johnsbury’s cultural, commercial, and community resources through regional marketing, producing community events, support for local businesses, and other economic development activities. We are a 501c3 nonprofit, and the only organization focused solely on marketing, promoting, and developing the economy of St. Johnsbury. Our organization combines the economic and commercial goals of a business alliance with the structure and community development purpose of a designated downtown organization. We would use these funds to support expenses related to producing our community events, including artist fees, kid-friendly activities, promotions, and reducing barriers to accessibility by providing free food and goodies at select events. Our 2023 schedule includes four major events including: – Maple Festival in April – St. J Final Fridays, in partnership with Catamount Arts and the Town of St. Johnsbury – Food Truck Popup @ The Pavilion, expanding to six events in 2023 – St. J Sparkles! Holiday Weekend, featuring a fireworks display by Northstar Fireworks.

H.O.P.E.

H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everyday Inc.) has been operating in Lyndonville since 2009, and during that time has offered services to those in our community that require life’s basic necessities. Our mission has always been to help in a loving and compassionate way, and in doing so, we hope to instill a desire to help others. We operate a thrift store in downtown Lyndonville, stocked almost entirely with donations from community members, where our charitable organization is based out of. Over ten years ago, we started the first Backpack Program in our region, which provides bags of food to children from 9 area schools facing food insecurity over the weekends. This program has grown to be the most significant service we offer, and has the largest impact on our community. We also provide homeless services to those who find themselves suddenly homeless, emergency services for those facing a flood or fire, free clothing vouchers, and teacher packages throughout the school year to our area schools, filled with school supplies, and offer use of our Princess Project formal attire to local schools during prom season at no charge, just to name a few. We do all of this with no federal, state or local government funding; all of our work is funded through donation. Funding from this fundraiser would go towards furthering our mission of helping other people, everyday. Much but not all of what we give to those in need has been donated, and we do supplement those donations with purchased items when necessary, for example food for our Backpack Program or tents for homeless individuals.

United Community Church meal site

United Community Church meal site provides hot nutritional meals on Wednesday and Fridays of every week. We also provide to go meals. Everyone is welcome to take part in this free meal, it does not only feed our bellies but it gives us a time to gather and for community. We would use these funds to help lower the cost of ingredients to make healthier meals for the community. It also will help to purchase the to go containers.

The St. Johnsbury Kiwanis Pool

The St. Johnsbury Kiwanis Pool provides free Red Cross swimming lessons, public recreation swim, and physical therapy swimming hours to area youth, families, and seniors. It costs $1000.00/day to operate and staff the pool. Funds will be used to help pay for daily operations.

Lyndon Institute

Founded in 1867, Lyndon Institute is dedicated to providing a unique educational experience for our students that leads to a lifetime of learning and good citizenship. We are an independent and comprehensive high school for grades 9 – 12, offering a 150-course curriculum specializing in core and honors academics, fine and performing arts, and technical and career programs. The main 130-acre campus hosts 34 buildings, including the Main Building, Alumni Gymnasium and 650-seat Alumni Auditorium, the Elliott Memorial Library, the John L. Norris, Jr. Center for the Arts, the Monahan Academic Commons, and seven dormitories. The 300-acre Edwin Binney Memorial Forest, located on Burke Mountain, provides outdoor recreation and educational opportunities. We believe that the primary obligation of our school is to help every student to discover their individual academic, artistic, technological, and athletic aptitudes; to encourage the development of goals appropriate to such aptitude; and to aid in developing the goals for the betterment of one’s self and one’s community. Lyndon Institute’s Main Building celebrated its 100th birthday in December of 2022. Our beloved Main Building is deserving of some upgrades and improvements in celebration of this significant milestone. It has served us well, but the current configuration does pose security risks. Our reception area, located in the forty-five-year-old Pierce Wing, does not have a clear view of the parking lot or entrance walkway, nor does the current configuration provide a full view of those entering the building. Moving the reception area in front of the existing entrance will greatly improve the building’s security, providing increased visibility in multiple directions. Other improvements will be made to compliment the security updates including single stall restrooms and a student lounge area located immediately into the building after entering through the new entrance. We are currently fundraising to complete this remodeling. As an independent school, we rely heavily on the generosity of donors to make these kinds of vital improvements.

Northeast Kingdom Human Services

Founded in 1960, Northeast Kingdom Human Services is a private, not-for-profit agency providing services and advocacy to adults, children, and families in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties. NKHS’s mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities by promoting hope, healing, and support. NKHS professionals provide case management, community and home supports, residential care, psychiatry, medication management, therapy, vocational supports, school-based counseling, emergency care, and respite in our offices and communities. NKHS annually serves over 3000 individuals in the Northeast Kingdom communities with a staff of over 465. NKHS has an office in Newport and St. Johnsbury as well as residential homes throughout the NEK. These funds would directly benefit our Children and Family Services Department. The funds would be used to support activities and programs for children and families. For instance, the funds could purchase bikes, helmets, fishing poles and other supplies for children to use with their families while they are receiving services from NKHS.”

Neighbors in Action

Neighbors in Action’s mission is to serve food insecure community members, offer socially enriching programs, and advance opportunities to increase self-sufficiency in the communities of the Northeast Kingdom and Washington County while deploying the neighbors-helping-neighbors volunteer model to instill hope and leave an enduring impact. Through our programs and initiatives at both our location in Lyndonville as well as our location in Cabot, we serve clients from almost 70 towns throughout the NEK and central Vermont. In the months of November and December of 2022 alone, we gave food out to over 1300 families through our food share programs. Our location in Lyndonville also offers a twice monthly free community lunch which is often paired with engaging workshops such as learning how to pressure can, save fresh produce and meat through dehydration and even how to smoke meats. We also have a monthly free cooking class taught by a NECI-trained chef. At Neighbors in Action we help ensure that food relief and social interactions have a more meaningful and enduring impact. These funds will be used to maintain our ever-increasing food distribution efforts primarily, and will also assist us in providing workshops and programs to teach clients the self-sufficiency skills needed to help them move beyond their immediate needs for support. Where possible, we hope to create additional opportunities for clients to build community and engage with each other.

Rural Community Transportation

Rural Community Transportation, Inc. (RCT), is a private nonprofitbn501(c)(3) corporation which provides public transportation services throughout Caledonia, Orleans, Essex and Lamoille Counties. RCT operates farefree shuttle and commuter bus routes which allow connections between towns in our region as well as the ability to travel throughout Vermont and beyond. In addition, RCT provides demand response transportation services under several programs, such as Medicaid, the Elderly & Disabled program and Rides 2 Wellness. The funds will be used to support the operation of Rural Community Transportation. Supporting our transportation services allows RCT to thrive, grow and provide our local communities with reliable quality transportation service.

St. Johnsbury Recreation

St. Johnsbury Recreation offers dozens of recreational activities, summer camps, and events, year-round, for community members of all ages. Offerings include soccer, field hockey, cross country, flag football, basketball, lacrosse, track and field, and public outdoor ice skating. Expand adult recreational programming. Continue to offer affordable youth programming to all members of the community and scholarships for those families in financial need, so that finances are never a barrier to any member of our community.

Lyndon Area Emergency Food Shelf

I am asking as Chairman for the Lyndon Area Emergency Food Shelf. We supply food, dairy products, produce and more to anyone in need. We were able to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meal boxes this past year. We are on Elm Street in Lyndonville, in the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church annex. We are open every Wednesday from 10-2 with contacts available at anytime, if needed. We must purchase any food/meat needed to fill gaps in community donations and now will offer some fresh dairy. We pay shipping charges for this food. We pay rent and insurance. We rely totally on donations and volunteers.

Good Living Senior Center

We are a 501-C3 non profit organization located in the historic St. Johnsbury House in downtown St. Johnsbury. We are an organization that assists the elderly community here in the NEK by providing programs such as Tai Chi, Arthritis workshops as well as TOPS. Several of our participants engage in bingo, knitting, karaoke, cribbage and board games. Our organization also provides day trips so that our seniors can socialize and enjoy all that life can offer. Being a non profit means that we must rely on fundraisers and donations in order to continue to assist our most cherished citizens…our elders. Please consider voting for our organization and thank you in advance. These funds will allow us to continue programs that assist our elders both physically and mentally. It will also allow us to be able to provide trips for these folks to places like museums, boat trips on local lakes, plays and musicals.

St. Johnsbury Moose Lodge #1779

We are a fraternal organization supporting and caring for young and old and bringing communities together and support local non-profits to help reach their goals through fundraising. We would use the funds for building improvements to we can continue to support the community.

Lyndon Rescue

Lyndon Rescue, Inc is a non-profit, advanced life support ambulance service that provides emergency response to several Northeast Kingdom towns, as well as emergency and non-emergency interfacility transports for residents and visitors to the coverage area. In addition to providing quality emergency medical services, Lyndon Rescue supports the community by providing CPR and First Aid courses, child car seat inspections, and providing medical coverage for mid-to-large scale events in our region with our 25 dedicated full and part-time employees. Some of these events include the Caledonia County Fair, sports games, and mountain biking events. The funds received from Coins for Community will be to augment and expand our community outreach projects, including supply 911 signs, educational literature for school-aged children, and supplies for CPR and First Aid courses.

Lyndon Youth Baseball and Softball (LYBS)

Lyndon Youth Baseball and Softball (LYBS) is a non-profit organization who serves over 400 children ages 4 to 18 every year. A typical season for LYBS runs from May into July and includes Babe Ruth teams, Little League Majors teams, Minor League teams, Coach Pitch teams, and Tee Ball teams. In addition to our regular season, we also host and attend district, state and regional All-Star tournaments in all of our major divisions (2022 allowed LYBS to host District Little League Softball and District Little League Baseball Tournaments and our Babe Ruth Baseball 14U All Stars traveled to Massachusetts for Regionals for the second year in a row. LYBS also had three players attend Regionals in CT with the 16/18 Babe Ruth baseball team). Our program operates in vast majority by the work of more than 100 selfless individuals who volunteer countless hours. LYBS holds practices offering skills instruction starting at the tee ball level and grows children’s skills as they age through our programs. We utilize many area local fields/locations for practices and games (Fisher Field, Lyndon Institute, Northern VT University, West Burke/East Burke fields, Shonyo Park, Lyndon Town School, The Royer Family Field, Kingdom Campground Field and the Caledonia County Fairgrounds) and are appreciative of the community support offered to us. LYBS currently operates by a 12-person active Board of Directors. The board is comprised of local community members who share a passion for supporting our local children in a sport that they all love and the board currently has two positions open. We give thanks to the many devoted parents, families and friends who are actively involved in our program. Without each and every volunteer, we wouldn’t be able to operate this great program. If we were to be chosen to benefit from the Coins for Community program, it would help sustain our league supporting operating expenses, equipment and uniforms. Thank you for your consideration!

Mountain View Farm Animal Sanctuary

Mountain View Farm Animal Sanctuary is a registered 501c3 that is a member of the American Sanctuary Association. We take in horses and large farm animals from situations of abuse and neglect, or other likewise potentially dire circumstances, and provide them with rehabilitation and safe sanctuary for the remainder of their lives. We also offer educational opportunities and lead by example to support the ethical treatment of animals, especially to children.” Funds will go directly towards our rescue and sanctuary efforts of our residents current and future. They will allow us to continue to provide supportive care, and quality managerial practices with the purchase of necessary feed and supplies, as well as professional services such as veterinary care.

Lyndon Outing Club

Since 1937, Lyndon Outing Club has served the Lyndonville community and region by offering affordable skiing and other recreational opportunities. We are the Northeast Kingdom’s only ski area to offer night skiing three times a week – snow permitting. During the 2019/2020 season, we proposed the “round-up” Coins for the Community program the White Market (who has always been and continues to be an incredible supporter of community). We also began offering free Kingdom East ski nights to graded school students on Wednesdays and hope with natural snowfall to be able to continue that program. We offer sledding to area schools and other wintertime recreational opportunities. Spring through fall, many use the Outing Club’s facilities for reunions, weddings and other events. The trails are used by hikers and the our new bike trail (opened August 2022) has been used by many riders. Funds received from the round-up will be used for maintenance: lifts, buying LED lights for the hill, paying for fire extinguisher inspection, upgrading the kitchen storage and perhaps if funds are left over – put towards making an uphill trail for the bikers and snowmaking.

Village Improvement Society/ Powers Park

Village Improvement Society/Powers Park is right in the heart of Lyndonville and has served area communities for over 105 years. Our mission is to provide fun, affordable, and healthy recreation opportunities for local children and families and to promote physical activity and the arts in a safe and convenient outdoor setting. We offer an 8-week long program that provides swim and tennis instruction at low cost to children in the Northeast Kingdom. Annually, we serve approximately 400 children from Lyndon and the surrounding towns, and employ approximately 15 local youth as lifeguards, recreational instructors, and aides. We also have groups and businesses use the pool and picnic area for events like company picnics, weddings, graduations, and family reunions. The park is also open to the public year-round from dusk until dawn and includes tennis courts, a pump track, a pavilion, a basketball court, a playground, and grass fields. Funds will go towards our upcoming playground renovation and maintenance/repairs to existing facilities.