WINDHAM FOUNDATION TEAMS WITH GRAFTON
CARES AND SEVCA TO DISTRIBUTE $50,000
The Windham Foundation has announced it
has established a Grafton Relief Fund totaling $50,000 to serve residents in
the Grafton and immediate surrounding area who were directly affected by the
Tropical Storm Irene. The Foundation has partnered with two fellow nonprofits,
Grafton Cares and Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) to administer
the funds.
The fund was primarily established through
donations from members of the Windham Foundation board of trustees, and was
supplemented by members of the Grafton community and guests of the Grafton Inn.
When Tropical Storm Irene hit Vermont, the
Grafton area was heavily damaged with flooding. While the historic village of
Grafton has recovered at an astonishing speed and all businesses are fully operational,
there are several families in the region that are still in need of working
through damage on their homes and land.
“As a major employer in this area, we felt it
was necessary to do what we could to give back to the community,” said Bob
Allen, Windham Foundation President. “Many of the people affected are
employees, friends and family. The donors to these funds, our trustees
primarily, understand the close-knit community that comes with living in
Vermont. They, along with others who made donations, wanted to step up to do
their part. By teaming with Grafton Cares and SEVCA to administer the funds, we
know the funds raised will go to those who truly need the assistance.”
Residents of Grafton and the surrounding area
that are in need of assistance as a result of the flood should contact Grafton
Cares at 802-869-2674 or SEVCA directly at 802-722-4575
or toll free at 800-464-9951.
Grafton Cares is a local
charitable organization that provides financial assistance to those in need,
and rides and gas cards for medical appointments. Grafton Cares also has a
weekly Wednesday Lunch, monthly community suppers in Grafton and Athens, and
many other local programs.
SEVCA was created in 1965
as a part of the nationwide ‘War on Poverty’ and chartered as a Community
Action Agency (CAA) – a private non-profit corporation, locally initiated and
governed, and designated by local, state and federal officials as the agency to
help Windham and Windsor County residents overcome economic hardships and move
toward self-sufficiency.
Irene hit southern Vermont hard on August 28 and the village of Grafton experienced
flooding. We have many bridges and roadways that are damaged.
The good news is, Grafton residents are safe, improvements are taking place daily and you CAN get to Grafton! To our friends and visitors, Grafton is OPEN for business. Please help spread the word.
Updates & Relief Efforts