Have you seen this truck around town?

Several years ago, Bourne's started a program to donate 1¢ from for every gallon of fuel oil sold off this truck to our United Way. 

Bourne's Propane chose our United Way for this project because of the thousands of people we help each year.  Larry Miller, spokesman for Bourne's Propane, says "The United Way of Lamoille County (UWLC) touches people from all different walks of life and people of all ages.  They help about 5,000 people annually.  We felt that by partnering with them, we'd be able to help the most people". 

So far, more than $7,000 has been donated to our local United Way through this program.  The Green Mountain United Way is also a beneficiary when the truck delivers in that area.

The UWLC extends a huge thanks to Bourne's Propane for their creativity in developing this program, and their generosity which helps thousands of Lamoille County residents each year.  

"There are two primary choices in life:  to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them."    Denis Waitley

On July 21, 2011, the Vermont Center for Independent Living honored Tom Younkman as the VCIL Advocacy Award recipient. The VCIL Advocacy Award is given to a person or organization for pushing forward the independent living philosophy through advocacy work.

Sarah Launderville, executive director of the Vermont Center for Independent Living, presented the award during the annual Americans with Disabilities Act celebration on the Statehouse lawn.

Launderville said, "He has changed the way VCIL interacts with farmers who have disabilities. He outreaches to farmers, connecting farmers to our movement. He organizes farmers and connects farmers to the equipment and services available to them to help them continue to farm."

She added, "He's not your typical organizer. At first he was sort of uncomfortable about it, but he kept doing it, he kept reaching out to farmers. And he's gotten us to a point where we're able to really work and interchange with farmers on a regular basis."

Susan Elliot from Congressman Peter Welch's office helped present the award, which was an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol June 9 on Younkman's behalf.   

Tom shares office space with our United Way in the TD Bank building in Morrisville. 

Many companies struggle to deal with rising healthcare premiums, forcing them to make difficult decisions that leave employees with limited, or even no healthcare benefits.

United Way's Prescription Discount Program, done in partnership with FamilyWize, helps:  

• Employees who struggle to pay for their prescriptions
• Part-time employees who aren't eligible for benefits
• Employees in deductible or waiting periods
• Employees who need prescriptions not covered under the company plan
• Family members and friends who lack coverage.

Visit United Way's website at http://www.uwlamoille.org/OurUnitedWay/PrescriptionDiscountProgram.aspx and print off a Prescription Discount card, or contact our office at 888-3252 and request to have some cards sent to you.

More than $35,000 has been saved in Lamoille County through this program.

For more information, contact Dawn at 888-3252.  

Upcoming Special Events

Church of Morrisville provides a free community dinner open to anyone who is interested on the last Friday of every month from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. Located at 39 Upper Main Street.   

Saturday, Aug. 13^th, 9:00am-4:00pm:  Festival of the Arts on Main St., Jeffersonville.  Join us in support of local art, artists and musicians where there is something for everyone!  Rain or shine.  Artists can register until 8/3/11.  For more information contact Carol at 802-644-1960 or visit our website at ArtsFestVt.com

September 8-9 & 15-16: Using Dialogue Education to Support Evidence-based Programs in Your Communities Four day, 30 hr. training will examine effective learning, design and facilitation theory as well as application of practices.  Click here for more information.   

September 12th: Lamoille County Firewood Project Workday - call Dan at 888-2190 or Dawn at 888-3252 for more information.

Attention Military Service Members:

Are you an ADOS Soldier getting ready to come off orders?

Are you a Soldier in the WTU?

Are you a current or previous military service member?

Are you close to retirement from the military or looking to change career fields?

Do you need a job?

If you answered YES to any of those questions, the Governor's Career Ready Certificate Program (CRC) may be for you! In an effort to enhance services to our military service members and bridge the gap between military service and civilian employment, the Community College of Vermont will be offering two CRC programs during October and November specifically targeted to veterans or other military service members at no charge.  Click here for more information.

Hunger Free Vermont seeks a full-time Child Nutrition Advocate. This position will coordinate statewide efforts to ensure Vermont children have access to good nutrition and enrichment activities during the summer. In addition to this primary focus, you will be part of a 3-person team working to assure children in Vermont are fed wherever they are in their day, all year long. If you enjoy making a difference every day, working in teams, working on a variety of tasks simultaneously, and working with a wide range of people and organizations, this position may be a good fit.

Position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills, an ability to connect with people and build positive relationships quickly, a willingness to be tenacious, and an ability to manage multiple projects. Experience working in Vermont public schools preferred. Bachelor's degree and 2+ years experience in a related field required. Some evening and weekend work required. Cover letter and resume accepted through August 10th.

Applications may be sent to:

Nick Hartshorn

Hunger Free Vermont

38 Eastwood Drive - Suite 100

South Burlington, VT 05403

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Habitat Ramps it up in Lamoille County!

Last Saturday, a group of volunteers from the Lamoille Chapter of Habitat for Humanity gathered to build a wheelchair ramp in Cambridge. Working with funding from the Vermont Center for Independent Living and volunteers from RSVP, the United Way of Lamoille County's Ramp Program addresses the home access needs of residents of Lamoille County.

Much planning went into the successful building of this ramp, but ultimately it was the Habitat volunteers who generously donated their time and expertise to make this project happen.  

 
For more information on how you can become involved with your local chapter of Habitat for Humanity and their planned build in the summer of 2012, please call Cherisse Desrosiers at 644-5477 or marchmaple@gmail.com.    

Board of Directors