How to Use vtresponse.com

Welcome to VTResponse. We are the clearinghouse of information for those seeking help and those wanting to help in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene. We’ve been here since Day 1, which after disaster is a darn long time. Thanks … Continue reading →

Help Needed (5/26): Bethel

This is part of the ongoing work to revitalize Peavine Park in Bethel, VT. We will be planting trees, and shrubs. We will also be pulling the knotweed that has begun to proliferate around the river banks. We need to cut apart a fallen tree, and dispose of the resulting wood.

We will work for the morning, and then stop and have a lunch provided by the Bethel Rotary!

Work will start at 9 am and at least 10 volunteers are needed. Bring tarps and tools if you have them. A person with a chainsaws is in particularly high demand! Contact Lisa if you are able to help out at lcampbell43@myfairpoint.net.

Mobile Home Park Recovery Fund

As many know, the mobile home parks were hard hit after Irene. Residents from affected parks have worked the Vermont Workers’ Center and Vermont Community Fund to create a fund especially marked for those who were living in mobile homes during Irene. For more information on donating or applying for a grant, visit the website here. 

Help Needed (5/20): West Hartford

My family has a home on the White River in West Hartford and our land was devastated by Irene.

On Sunday, May 20, we will be planting 125 bare root trees to replace some of what was lost to Irene and to repair some of the damage to the riparian buffer. If you have an hour or two to spare and a shovel, we would truly appreciate the help.

Please contact me off this list at hakala518@gmail.com for directions.

Thank you so much,
Sonja

Washing Machine Needed (Southeastern Vermont)

The Long Term Recovery Team in Southeastern Vermont is currently working with a family in the Springfield area who lost their washing machine in the flood. They are low income and cannot afford to purchase a new one at this point. We were trying to find an affordable used or donated washing machine. If you could assist me, please let me know!

Contact Lara at 802-246-2111 if you can help out. 

Help Needed (5/5): Windham County

The Southeastern Vermont Irene Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC), which serves Windham County, is recruiting volunteers to help kick off spring cleaning efforts after Tropical Storm Irene on:

Green Up Day – Saturday, May 5, from 9am-12pm

The State Irene Recovery Office has partnered with Green Up Vermont to create the Green Up to Recover initiative at the state level that Governor Shumlin announced on April 10.

The focus of Green Up Day is normally on picking up litter, and the LTRC wants to support these efforts and connect volunteers of all ages and abilities with people who are still picking up after Irene. Green Up Day is a perfect time to address these problems and mobilize volunteers to assist in Windham County .

Individuals or groups interested in helping with Irene clean-up efforts on May 5 and beyond can sign up through the United Way of Windham County at 802-257-4011 x112 or online atwww.unitedwaywindham.org.

For individuals willing to take on a leadership role in disaster-related volunteer projects, please join us for:

Site Leader Orientation

Monday, April 30

5:30-6:30pm

Marlboro College Graduate Center in Brattleboro

Details on the work of the LTRC and Green Up Day logistics will be provided, as well as basic volunteer management training and an opportunity to hear from volunteers who have assisted survivors of Irene.

Spontaneous Volunteerism

I (Sarah) had the pleasure of guest speaking in UVM’s fall course on Rebuilding Vermont, which was launched shortly after Irene to explore as many aspects of disaster response and recovery as can be covered in a 15 week course. They also went out into the field to volunteer and when I met them, most had done a number of weekends of field work. This video is one of the final projects from that course on spontaneous volunteerism in Waterbury. For me, it’s amazing to see the faces of so many people with whom we communicated daily after Irene, but never met in person. Thanks to the UVM students who put this together!

Updated Recovery Resources

As we transition into the long term recovery portion of cleaning up from Irene, the State of Vermont compiled a concise and comprehensive list of resources for those seeking support during the recovery process. The document includes information for both potential volunteers and those seeking support

For general Irene-related information, visit the State-maintained website and the Vermont Disaster Recovery site.