WILMINGTON — The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce has landed a $1,000 grant from the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) to foster volunteerism and community support for neighbors in need, and, the grant said, “to bring back the spirit of collaboration that was so prevalent in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene.”
The Pay It Forward & Feel the Love grant application was submitted to the VCF's Small and Inspiring Grants Program. The grant will advance recent efforts by the chamber to foster a greater spirit of community volunteerism in the Valley.
According to Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Adam Grinold, “As we get further away from Irene and all that we have accomplished as a community, we really wanted to find a way to remind ourselves of the greatness we can achieve when we work together as a community toward an agreed-upon goal.”
Grinold said the grant will be used to support needed projects in the community. Community members are encouraged to submit their project ideas to the chamber for approval.
Projects should last at least six hours, run during the week of Aug. 24, and include at least four volunteers for a combined minimum 24 hours' service.
Eligible projects may then receive funding of up to $100. Projects must benefit a local neighbor, a business, an organization, or “anyone in need of help in the Deerfield Valley,” the rules state.
All projects must be documented with photography and/or video footage submitted to the chamber upon completion.
Interested project organizers can register their project with the Chamber of Commerce at 802-464-8092.