After Irene: Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Vermonters, a notoriously hardy lot, have had plenty to deal with since Tropical Storm aka Hurricane Irene, barreled through, causing state Emergency Management Director Mike O’Neill to call the situation, “the worst I’ve ever seen.” In southern Vermont, homes were knocked off foundations; businesses washed away; hundreds of roads closed and at least three historic bridges lost. In response, the outpouring of help has been incredible.
“What began as a group of roughly sixty moms performing ‘acts of kindness’ on a monthly basis, Heartworks of Vermont now numbers more than two hundred people working to help those devastated by Irene,” says Lisa Kelly, the group’s founder. Heartworks encourages donations of money and services; writes checks ranging from $200 to $1000 and gives gift certificates to local merchants so that money stays in the community.
