Homeless vigil planned in Bellows Falls
BELLOWS FALLS – Greater Falls Warming Shelter is sponsoring a candlelight vigil for the homeless Thursday, Dec. 18, at 4 p.m., under the Christmas tree in the Bellows Falls square.
Recognition of the plight of the homeless at this time of the shortest days of the year and the coming first day of winter will include songs and words of hope, followed by a march to the shelter located in North Walpole, N.H.
The shelter opened Nov. 15 and has seen an average of five to six guests each night. It is staffed each night by four volunteers in two shifts, and other volunteers bring in a cooked meal.
Anyone who wants to volunteer may contact shelter coordinator Deborah Clark at [email protected] or through the GFWS Facebook page.
'Fill the Bus' day benefits Project Feed
BRATTLEBORO - Project Feed The Thousands organizers will hold their Annual “Fill The Bus” event at Hannaford supermarket on Putney Road on Friday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The day will feature students from area schools wrapping up their individual food drives, and loading a bus (or buses) from First Student of Brattleboro. Area businesses and individuals are invited to also make donations of cash or non perishable food items for the annual food drive.
This year's campaign, which continues through year's end, has a goal of $100,000 in cash, and 200,000 meals to help support eight food shelves in the greater Windham County area. Donations can be made at area markets and a number of area businesses, and cash donations can be sent to “Project Feed The Thousands,” in care of River Valley Credit Union in Brattleboro.
Brattleboro radio stations WTSA-FM and WKVT-FM will broadcast live from Friday's event.
Sanders to host free seniors' holiday dinner in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., will host a free holiday dinner for seniors at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, in Brattleboro.
Each year, Sanders hosts several holiday dinners throughout Vermont to hear seniors' concerns and to provide Vermonters with an update from Washington.
The free dinner will be held at the Brattleboro Senior Center in Brattleboro. Seating is limited, and RSVPs are required. Call Sanders' office toll-free at 800-339-9834 to sign up.
Winter solstice celebration at Manitou
WILLIAMSVILLE - The Manitou Project will hold its annual celebration of the Winter Solstice on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. This is an occasion for marking the darkest day of the year, and celebrating the movement toward the return of the light.
Participants will gather in the hogan in the warmth of the wood-stove with songs, readings and reflections, hot mulled cider, and sharing about the significance of this season. One of the favorite Manitou traditions will highlight the evening: a “fire-eating ceremony” with brandied flaming raisins.
This is a family-friendly event and children are welcome. It's free and open to the public as a way for new people to be introduced to the spirit of Manitou. The celebration concludes with a potluck supper at 6 p.m. at the Manitou Gate House. If one would like to stay for that, bring food to share.
Meet at the parking lot by 4 p.m. to walk to the Hogan - dress appropriately for a short walk through the woods and the snow. Bring a candle and flashlight, and feel free to also bring a favorite poem, reading, song or other offering to share in the spirit of solstice.
Directions to 300 Sunset Lake Rd.: approximately 1.4 miles up the road from Williamsville village (look for sign on the right), or approximately 5.5 miles from Route 9 after turning at the Chelsea Royal Diner. For information, contact Fred Taylor at 802-387-2681 or [email protected].
Health Connect Navigator based at SEVCA assists in health coverage sign-ups
WESTMINSTER - Until Feb. 15, it is Open Enrollment season at Vermont Health Connect, and thousands of applicants are taking advantage of the opportunity to sign up for health coverage or change their existing plan.
Yet the process does not always go as smoothly as the state hopes it will. That's where the Health Navigators come in.
Southeastern Vermont Community Action's (SEVCA) Health Navigator has helped hundreds of Windham and Windsor county residents with their health insurance applications since the program started here in October 2013. In most cases, the navigator is able to resolve these problems and help applicants find the coverage they need.
SEVCA urges people seeking coverage not to wait until the last minute to try to enroll in or change a plan, in case the system is down or other difficulties arise. If you need coverage to start by February 1, enroll by Jan. 15. Those needing help with their Vermont Health Connect application should call Amanda at 802-722-4575, ext. 153, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Fresh Air Fund seeks host families
BRATTLEBORO - The holiday season is the perfect time to think about becoming a volunteer host family to a New York City child. Each summer, close to 4,000 inner-city children visit suburban, rural and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada through The Fresh Air Fund's Volunteer Host Family Program.
Fresh Air children are boys and girls, from six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for one or two weeks. Children who are reinvited by host families may continue with The Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips.
More than 65 percent of all children are re-invited to stay with their host families, year after year. Through the eyes of Fresh Air children, families often rediscover the beauty of their own communities.
For more information, contact Tom Kosiba at 802-282-9933 or visit The Fresh Air Fund online at www.freshair.org.