Show Your Vermont Strong

As we mentioned earlier in the year, limited edition “I Am Vermont Strong” license plates are available for sale as a benefit for the Vermont Foodbank and the Flood Recovery Fund. We’re rocking them on our front plates and it’s nice to see them popping up all over the state as a little reminder of what we’ve been through this year and how far we still have to go.

Tamara Burke of the Stowe Reporter shared this editorial with us recently and it’s a great reminder of just how powerful Irene was and our legacy as unflappable Vermonters.

Benefit (May 18th): Rutland

On Friday, May 18, 2012, Restoring Rutland will host a silent auction and benefit concert to benefit families of Tropical Storm Irene, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Center Street Alley Bar in downtown Rutland.

Bid on items donated by local area businesses while enjoying a variety of hors d’oeuvres provided by The Palms Restaurant, a cash bar and live music from Split Tongue Crow, Duane Carlton and Jeff Poremski, Gold Town and DJ Sunavaunt.

All monies raised — 100% — will be donated to the Pittsfield, Stockbridge and Bridgewater Disaster Relief Funds and the Rutland County Long Term Recovery Committee, all of which are working with their local communities to distribute monies to families in need.

Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at The Palms Restaurant on 36 Strongs Ave., Café Terra at 67 Center St., Body Gears at 112 Woodstock Ave., Center Street Alley Bar on Center Street and the Wooden Barrel at 231 Chittenden Rd. Tickets are limited.

This event is sponsored in part by Rutland Regional Medical Center and the Rutland Country Club. For more information, email info@restoringrutland.org, or visit www.restoringrutland.org and www.facebook.com/restoringrutland.

When the River Rose (Book Benefit)

One of the ways we start to heal after disaster is to share our experiences through art, stories and music. This book (and website) is a collection of stories and pictures of some of the Irene experience. Proceeds benefit ReBuild Waterbury.

Mad River Rising

Thanks to the Midd kids who shared this with us (and for all their incredible work after the storm volunteering in communities around their adopted home.)

Volunteer Project Managers Needed: Windham County

Throughout the winter an emergency task force has been connecting with everyone who contacted FEMA to assess what relief is still needed.  We’ve got dozens of community members who still need to have their basement/garage/yards mucked out as well as flood debris cleared from their property.  We’ve got several groups from out of town who want to volunteer, but we need local community members to help out by functioning as project managers.  The project manager would connect with the property owner and meet the volunteers on the morning they’re scheduled to work, instruct them on what needs to be done, and simply oversee the project.

If you are able to help out as a project manager or are interested in volunteering in Windham County in any capacity, please sign up here.

Green Up to Recover (5/5/12)

Governor Shumlin announced a special theme for the Annual Green Up Day today, focusing on continued efforts to recover after Irene. On May 5th, there will be a variety of events focusing on clean-up in Irene-affected areas. Opportunities and sign-up can be found here.

Gear Swap Benefit (5/5/12): Richmond

There’s a Gear Swap scheduled for May 5th at the Monitor Barn in Richmond. You can donate gear for the Swap, pick up some great new stuff or just browse through the barn and enjoy music and food.

All the information on getting involved is here.