Green Mountain

United Way

Annual Report July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013

Serving Washington, Orange, Caledonia, Orleans and

Essex Counties of Vermont

www.gmunitedway.org

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Table of Contents

Contents

Green Mountain United Way Office Locations ................................................................................................ 1 Executive Message............................................................................................................................................ 2 Board of Directors............................................................................................................................................. 3 Committees ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 Educating and Advocating for Success............................................................................................................. 4 Community Grant Awards for 2012 - 2013 ...................................................................................................... 5

Financial Statement for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2013 ................................................................................ 7 Micro Grants Funded for 2012 ......................................................................................................................... 7 LEADERSHIP GIVERS................................................................................................................................... 8 The Annual Campaign ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Support from Business Donations, Sponsorships & Goods.............................................................................. 9

Special Events..................................................................................................................................................11 First Dental Care Day ..................................................................................................................................... 12 FINRA Foundation Grant ............................................................................................................................... 12

Green Mountain United Way Office Locations

Washington/Orange Office: 963 Paine Turnpike N#2 Montpelier, VT 05602-9163 Tel: 802-229-9532 Fax: 802-223-0273 E-Mail: info@gmunitedway.org

Caledonia/So. Essex Office: 1325 Main St. St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 Tel: 802-745-0101 E-Mail: nbaker@gmunitedway.org

Orleans/No. Essex Office: P. O. Box 33, 69 Main St. Derby Line, VT 05830 Tel: 802-647-2148 Email: mroy@gmunitedway.org

Green Mountain United Way Website: www.gmunitedway.org

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Executive Message We are proud to be able to bring you this year’s annual report that celebrates the incredible accomplishments of 2012 - 2013, all due to the abilities of the Green Mountain United Way Board, Committees, Partners, Volunteers, Staff and our very generous Donors.

The Funding Resources Committee Chair, Wanda French of Academy Mortgage Co., led her committee to raise funds for the many GMUW programs. Chairing the campaign for the second year was Wendy Rea, from Merchants Bank, and for the first

year Kathy Austin, from Community National Bank in the Northeast Kingdom. Without the dedication of the Worksite Coordinators and the support from the many businesses, the campaign would not happen. A Kaleidoscope of Talent had another very successful show. Performers and fans from around the area

came together on April 13, 2013 for the 7th annual event at Spaulding High School. The bowling balls rolled for the second time in Berlin and the first time in St. Johnsbury with nearly sixty fun loving people participating. We hope to expand these events next year. We also benefited from Juniper’s Restaurant giving a portion of the proceeds of one evening’s sales. Bourne’s Energy continues to be creative in their support of GMUW by giving one cent of every gallon sold from one truck. Unfortunately, we did fall short of our total campaign goal, but did raise $511,138.

Under the leadership of Bethany Lunn from the Vermont State Housing Authority, the Community Impact

Committee awarded 23 grants.

The four primary areas identified were Financial Stability, Healthy Living, Early Learning and Basic Needs. When people have the knowledge and skills to make sound financial decisions, they can improve their economic condition and achieve monetary self-sufficiency. GMUW coordinated financial educational programs with a grant from the FINRA Foundation to increase income, build savings and gain and sustain assets. The physical health of many people in our communities is of concern. By helping to increase the knowledge of and access to healthy foods and proper physical activity, diseases like cardiovascular, diabetes and other chronic illnesses can be reduced. We know that children begin to learn at birth. GMUW has made available cutting edge educational materials to parents and caregivers that offer easy, doable teaching opportunities in everyday moments. We continue to provide Basic Needs by helping in the administration and funding of Vermont 2-1-1, an information and referral system to access health and human service information. The prescription drug discount program for medications reached hundreds of local residents. Our Goods and Services Program has continued to bring food, clothing and office supplies to many non-profit organizations. Our Volunteer Network has grown this year as we match volunteers to opportunities.

Without the steadfast leadership of Phil Zunder, Chair of the Marketing Committee, we would not be able to provide vital information to the public. From our website, Facebook, news articles and blog people can learn about our programs and services.

In conclusion, we thank everyone in our communities who help Green Mountain United Way in conducting its work to make a positive difference in the lives of our local people.

Stuart Williams, MD Nancy Zorn President Executive Director

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Board of Directors

2012 - 2013

Stuart Williams, MD, President Berlin Family Health

Kevin Lunn, Vice President Northfield Savings Bank Susan Kruthers, Secretary

Central Vermont Medical Center Catherine Donnis, Treasurer

Retired, Northfield Savings Bank

Leah Baribeau, Vt State Housing Authority Wanda French, Guaranteed Rate Mortgage Co.

Robin Garbacik, VSECU Michael Knight, VTDigger.org Alan Lendway, Lendco, Ltd.

Bethany Lunn, VT State Housing Authority Wendy Rea, Merchants Bank

Dawne Smith, Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT Pat Wheatley, Retired, State of VT

Annette Young, People’s United Bank Phil Zunder, Retired, VT Agency of Human Services

Committees Executive Catherine Donnis Wanda French Susan Kruthers Kevin Lunn Stuart Williams Phil Zunder Community Impact Alan Lendway, Co-Chair Bethany Lunn, Co-Chair Leah Baribeau, VT State Housing Authority Lori Belding, Northfield Savings Bank Joyce Cloutier, VT National Guard Family Readiness Program Susan Kruthers Susan Reid, Retired Pat Wheatley, Retired – State of Vermont Tim Ross, Northfield Savings Bank Finance

Funding Resources Wanda French, Chair Wendy Rea, Campaign Chair Tim Barre, Northfield Savings Bank Beth Esmond, Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT Kevin Lunn Diane McCormack, Northfield Savings Bank Jill McDermott, Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT Margaret Pinello-White, Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT Dawne Smith Annette Young, People’s United Bank Marketing Phil Zunder, Chair Wanda Baril, Retired National Life Group & GMUW Tim Barre Bethany Chenette, National Life Group Michael Knight Dexter Rowe, WNUB-FM & WCFR AM-FM

Catherine Donnis, Chair Matt Calhoun, Edward Jones – Montpelier Jason Lemery, Northfield Savings Bank Cory Richardson, Northfield Savings Bank

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Educating and Advocating for Success

Financial Stability

Recognizing that many in our five-county region need assistance in learning money management skills, we continue to conduct financial literacy workshops for students and adults in collaboration with local financial institutions and other non-profit organizations. These workshops are provided in group sessions as well as one-on-one trainings by our trained staff, with local leaders of the financial community, and as part of the two-year FINRA Foundation grant received in 2011. Hundreds in our communities are learning about budgeting, savings, credit scores and reports, mortgages and loans, investing and retirement. GMUW also encourages people to file for income taxes through the Vermont Income Tax Assistance program and to apply for an Earned Income Tax Credit if they qualify. GMUW is helping individuals and families to become more financially stable.

Healthy Living

Because of the prevalence of chronic illnesses in our region, GMUW has actively promoted that people adopt a healthier lifestyle by making better food choices and participating in regular, moderate physical activity. We support school and community gardening where people can have access to fruits and vegetables. We also provide education through our Worksite Wellness Program. GMUW works to help our population become and stay healthy.

Early Learning

Assisting our future leaders in the learning process is of great importance to GMUW. In order for children to be better prepared when entering preschool and kindergarten, we provide parents and other caregivers the techniques needed to help them in their children’s early education. We also partner with early education groups like Building Bright Futures to help toddlers become successful in school.

Basic Needs

GMUW assists people of all ages by supporting the Vermont 2-1-1 Program, the free and confidential resource for health and human service questions, and by providing free prescription drug discount cards, which can provide discounts up to 30%. We also maintain a Volunteer Network on our website where local organizations can post their volunteer needs and individuals who desire to provide volunteer service can access these opportunities. We help coordinate food drives for local food shelves and assist in the distribution of fuel assistance dollars. Annually, our Goods and Services Program receives several thousands of dollars of new and slightly used items from for-profit companies for distribution to non-profit groups.

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Community Grant Awards for 2012 - 2013

Financial Stability

AWARE – Economic Empowerment Initiative This initiative increased the number of financially stable families by assisting victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence to achieve economic stability and self-sufficiency during confidential one-on-one meetings, support group meetings, and targeted referrals for additional assistance. Participating families increased financial literacy and developed skills to enable them to locate and secure permanent, affordable housing. They also learned to access programs that provide income support, build savings and credit enabling them to build and sustain assets, and identify, secure and retain suitable employment. Central Vermont Community Action Council – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance CVCAC partners with the IRS VITA program to provide a high-quality tax preparation choice for low income families and ensure Vermonters claim all refunds and credits due. Special effort was made to reach the elder communities, those with disabilities and taxpayers who speak English as a second language. The program offered in-person assistance at no cost to prepare and file federal and state income taxes at multiple locations. Tangible Assets at CVCAC – One to One Financial Counseling Central Vermont Community Action provided follow-up financial counseling and coaching for 100 low income residents in Washington and Orange counties who attended workshops, classes or clinics. These one-to-one sessions supported individualized action plans to solve immediate financial difficulties and achieve long-term financial solvency. Northeast Kingdom Youth Services – Financial Literacy Program The Financial Literacy Program is a component of the Life Skills program and was implemented into three, ten-week sessions throughout the 2012-2013 year. This program targeted at-risk youth aged 15-21 including those who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless, in foster care, or involved with the criminal justice system.

ReSOURCE – Workforce Development Program ReSOURCE’s workforce training programs combine occupational skills training with academic learning and participants earn industry-recognized credentials. ReSOURCE identified specific areas of workforce development and training activities to provide job skills, education, and on-the-job experience for low-income individuals and at-risk youth that provide students with the opportunity to secure a job in a high-wage, high growth sector of the labor market. The programs are designed to give students a broad set of skills and more specialized training in specific areas of interest, and place them in employment in fields where growth is possible and wages are livable, thus increasing their opportunities for financial stability and advancement.

Safeline – Housing and Economic Justice Project This project increased the number of financially stable families throughout Orange County by supplying victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking with the tools, resources and support vital to improving their financial security and overall wellbeing. Safeline’s Housing and Economic Justice Advocate provided emotional support, housing advocacy, life skills training, continuing education support and / or job readiness support, transportation and resources / referrals to program participants.

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Healthy Living

Central Vermont Council on Aging – Seniors in Action Program Eight Neighbor to Neighbor AmeriCorps (N2N) members and four community volunteers were trained to lead two evidence-based physical activity programs – Tai Chi and Growing Stronger: Strength Training for Older Adults. N2N members led these programs at senior centers and other accessible locations in GMUW’s five-county service area, supporting seniors in improving their strength and balance. Cross Vermont Trail Association – Building Community Trails This project increased the number of people who are physically active in communities by creating and improving trails which are: clearly marked, safe, inviting, built to high quality accessible standards; widely promoted with informative maps; nearby to where people live, convenient for daily exercise; on school grounds, open to public and also in local public nature preserves; and linked together in a wider network to provide safe routes to school and alternative transportation to all. Green Mountain Farm to School – Sowing Seeds: Sprouts Afterschool Program This project builds on the successful school garden program that GMFTS has developed over the last four years. They assembled a school garden manual based on the lessons and procedures they have developed and trained community volunteers to launch the Sprouts Afterschool Garden Program at three new schools in Essex and Caledonia counties. Washington County Youth Service Bureau – Teen Parent Program The Teen Parent Program Healthy Families Initiative helped pregnant and parenting teens aged 13-21 to increase their knowledge of health and nutrition, assess their nutrition and physical fitness, set goals and develop an individualized health and fitness plan to achieve the best short and long term benefits for them and their children, carry out the plan, and evaluate progress toward their goals.

Early Learning

Family Center of Washington County – Early Learning Program FCWC is experiencing an increase in children with behavioral challenges, children living with multiple risk factors such as poverty and homelessness, children in DCF Family Services custody and children who know no or very little English. This grant provided low-income parents with tuition relief by helping support the Family Center in serving this population, which required more staff hours, specialist intervention, and special educator input, without passing on a tuition increase or state subsidy co-payment to parents. Friends of the Cobleigh Library – Outreach and Bookmobile Program The library outreach program allowed library staff to expand programming directly into the community. As the children developed a better vocabulary and an enthusiasm for stories, they were better able to express themselves, become aware of others and their feelings, and learn self-control in a small group setting. These relationships with staff and their peers prepared children socially and emotionally to be successful in school as well as prepared the children for reading success. Good Beginnings of Central Vermont – Mother / Infant Home Visitation Program The Mother / Infant Home Visitation Program is a free primary prevention program that relies solely on trained volunteers to offer unconditional support, resources and education to any family that is expecting or has a newborn throughout more than 20 central Vermont towns. Through weekly home visits and a peer support group, families received referrals to short and long-term community supports. Home visitors identified and addressed immediate needs to help families create stable, nurturing home environments that encourage early learning. Furthermore, weekly home visits and group sessions provided mothers with a critical support network, reducing social isolation – a risk factor of child abuse and neglect. In addition, GMUW has provided designated funds to 55 other non-profit organizations.

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Financial Statement for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2013 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION ASSETS Current Assets Cash 194,312 Investments 384,739 Accounts Receivable 182,239 Other Current Assets 22,633 Total Current Assets 783,923 Other Assets 9,482 Fixed Assets 10,515 TOTAL ASSETS 803,920 LIABILITIES & EQUITY Current Liabilities Payroll Liability 5,110 Allocations Payable 191,197 Prior Year Non Member Designations 246 Total Current Liabilities 196,553 Equity Fund Balances 493,036 Net Income 114,331 Total Equity 607,367 TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 803,920

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES INCOME Campaign 516,021 Other Revenue 17,585 TOTAL INCOME 533,606 EXPENSES Salaries & Benefits 265,611 Professional Fees 16,605 Supplies 12,463 Other Operating Expenses 54,096 Other Grant Services 70,500 TOTAL EXPENSE 419,275 NET INCOME 114,331 GMUW does not charge membership dues. A service charge is comprised of the yearly management and general cost of 5.8% and the yearly fundraising cost of 1.5% for a total of 7.3%. Amount raised: See Financial Statement, under INCOME, Campaign line. Sources of contributions: individuals in the public at large, business campaigns, corporate gifts, special events. How costs are covered: By deducting a service charge percentage from donations (see above). Financial statement based on FY 2012 – 2013 audit. Full audit available upon request.

Micro Grants Funded for 2012 (Micro grants are awarded for purchase of supplies and/or equipment with amounts awarded at $250 or less.)

Brain Injury Association of VT

Central VT Community Action Council

Faith in Action

Food Works at Two Rivers

Fresh Start Community Farm

Green Mountain Farm to School

Just Basics Food Pantry

Rhythm of the Rein

The Children’s Early Learning Space

The Children’s Room

Twin Valley Senior Center

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LEADERSHIP GIVERS

Pinnacle ($10,000+)

Anonymous (1)

Challenger ($5,000 – $9,999)

Anonymous (1) Thomas N. Pelletier

Trail Blazer ($2,500 - $4,999)

Anonymous (3) Claudio D. & Brenda Fort

Sarah I. Miller Ronald Piro

Pacesetter ($1,000 - $2,499)

Anonymous (19) Jane & Joseph Alper Elizabeth Esmond Ruthellen Greene

David & Wilma Kelley G. Lawson

Machejeski-Labounty Family Fund R. John Mitchell Dr. Paul Newton Curtis Pollard

Pathfinder ($500 - $999)

Anonymous (39) Wanda Baril

Justin Bourgeois Paul & Sandal Cate Richard Comtois Judith Daye Sherry Doane

John & Dana Donaldson Dr. Stephen & Marty Feltus

Catherine Hamilton Geoffrey & Shirley Harris

Dr. Peter Harris Alan & Jane Lendway Kevin & Bethany Lunn

Tim Ross David & Nancy Spencer

Connie Warren Wendy York

Nancy & Arthur Zorn

The Annual Campaign Green Mountain United Way would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our loyal supporters. Businesses, their employees, non-profit organizations, foundations and individuals from our five counties answered our fundraising call during this fiscal year and together provided $511,138. This amount was realized from outright donations, pledges and the participation of many in our special events. A complete list of supporting companies and a description of our special events can be read in this report. We would be remiss if we would not mention our very important volunteers. Their many donated hours of service assist us greatly in keeping fundraising costs low. Again, our sincerest thanks go out to all who participated in this campaign. You make our jobs easier and continually affirm to us the reasons for our commitment to our local communities.

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Support from Business Donations, Sponsorships & Goods

Without the continued support of our local people and businesses, Green Mountain United Way would be unable to continue its programs in Financial Stability, Healthy Living, Early Learning and Basic Needs. We are unable to name the hundreds of individual donors, but we do sincerely thank them and the following businesses and their employees who participated in this year’s campaign through donations, sponsorships and contributions to the GMUW Goods & Services Program:

Aetna Foundation AIG/AGF Area Agency on Aging for NE VT Associated Insurance Agencies, Inc. AT&T Bank of America Barre Housing Authority Barton American Legion Post #76 Blodgett Supply Co., Inc. Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT Bourne’s Energy, Inc. Cabot Creamery Coop, Inc. C & S Wholesale Grocers Central VT Council on Aging Central VT Home Health & Hospice Central VT Medical Center Century 21 Farm & Forest Realty Clara Martin Center Columbia Forest Products Combined Federal Campaign Comcast Community Financial Services Group Community National Bank Concord Group Dead River Company Denis, Ricker & Brown Dennis Appliance Service EJ Prescott Family Center of Washington Co. Federal Express FedEx Trade Networks FirstGiving Foundation Source Gardner Insurance Services, Inc. GE Foundation Grand Union Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Green Mountain Power Hannaford Supermarkets IDEXX Laboratories Insight

Institute of Professional Practice International Business Machines JC Penney Kennametal Industries Key Bank Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. Lincoln Financial Lyndon State College Macy & Co., Inc. Members Advantage Credit Union Merchants Bank Merck Partnership for Giving Montpelier Lodge of Elks #924 Mt. Mansfield Television, Inc. Mutuo, Inc. National Life Group Nationwide New England Culinary Institute North Country Hospital Northeast Kingdom Human Services Northfield Municipality Northfield Savings Bank Northwoods Excavating, Inc. Norwich University Noyle Johnson Insurance Orange Co. Parent Child Center Paige & Campbell, Inc. Peoples United Bank Perrigo Co. Pfizer Prevent Child Abuse Vermont Price Chopper Price Waterhouse Cooper Rozelle, Inc. Sanel Auto Parts SBE, Inc. Shaw’s Supermarkets Siemans Caring Hands Spaulding High School Springfield College Sugarbush Resort

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Swenson Granite Co. TD Bank Times Argus Tom Breslin Community Center Topnotch Resort & Spa Town of Derby, VT Twin City Riot Union Bank Union Mutual Insurance Co. of VT United Ways - Designations UPS United Technologies Aerospace VT Center for Independent Living VT Electric Coop, Inc. VT Mutual Insurance Co. VtSHARES Campaign VT State Employees Credit Union VT Technical College Wal Mart Washington Co. Mental Health Washington Electric Co. Weidmann Technologies WICOR Americas Inc. Wildflower Inn Sponsorships: Allen Lumber Co. Associated Insurance Agencies, Inc. Berlin Subway Black River Design Architects Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT Catamount Specialties Columbia Forest Products Comfort Inn & Suites Community National Bank Darn Tough Vermont Dr. James Crumbaker, D.D.S. Edward Jones FirstGiving Gardner Insurance Services, Inc. Gene A. Besaw & Associates, P.C. Granite Hills Credit Union HP Cleaning Services Hillside Stone Products, Inc. Kurrle Fuels

Leahy Press Lucky Day Co. Magee Office Plus Memphremagog Press Merchants Bank Middlesex Electric Montpelier Elks Lodge Nadeau’s Plumbing & Heating, Inc. National Life Group North Country Federal Credit Union Northfield Savings Bank NVRH Paige & Campbell, Inc. Passumpsic Savings Bank Price Chopper Project Independence rb Technologies S & R Services SB Electronics, Inc. Spaulding High School St. Johnsbury Auto The Times Argus The World Union Bank VSECU W.A.R.M. WCAX-TV WDEV Radio Vermont Wells River Savings Bank ZAZ Productions, Inc. Goods & Services: Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT Couture’s Maple Shop FedEx Trade Networks L. Brown & Sons Printing, Inc. National Life Group NECTAR on Etsy.com Sue Busby Times Argus VT Electric Coop, Inc. VT League of Cities and Towns Washington Co. Mental Health Zutano

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Special Events

Thankful Thursday This second annual event took place on July 12, 2012 at Juniper’s Restaurant in Lyndonville. The owners of Juniper’s graciously donated 15% of sales made between 5 pm and 9 pm to Green Mountain United Way. The restaurant was filled to capacity for most of the evening making it a very successful fundraiser. Our hats are off to the O’Reilly’s at Juniper’s for their support.

3rd Annual Ride the Realm Bike Ride The 3rd Annual Ride the Realm 50K Bike Ride took place on August 18, 2012. The 33-mile scenic but challenging course began at St. Johnsbury Academy and took riders south to Barnet on Route 5, across the Connecticut River into New Hampshire and north on Route 135 to the Moore Dam where riders crossed back to Vermont on Route 18, eventually returning to the Academy via Route 2. Riders were supported by five volunteers who served refreshments and monitored the riders on the course. Sponsors of this Healthy Living event were St J Auto & Subaru, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, the Passumpsic Savings Bank, Comfort Inn and Suites, and Price Chopper.

2nd Annual Bowlers Unite in Central Vermont On February 9, 2013, fourteen teams participated in our second annual bowling tournament at Twin City Lanes in Barre. Major sponsors of the event were SB Electronics, Inc., and Luckyday Co., LLC with several other lane sponsors. Bowlers acquired personal sponsorships to raise money for GMUW with Tim Barre and his Northfield Savings Bank “Hopeful Bowlers” taking top honors. The second highest honors for fundraising went to the SB Electronics team. Several other prizes were also given. Teams were formed by employees/members of Central VT Medical

Center, the Barre and Montpelier Kiwanis Clubs, Key Club at Spaulding High School, Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT, the Merchants Bank, Northfield Savings Bank, Peoples United Bank and SB Electronics, Inc. It was a fun event with everyone vowing to return for next year’s tournament.

1st Annual Bowlers Unite in St. Johnsbury The 1st Annual Bowlers Unite Bowling Tournament in Caledonia County took place on March 24, 2013 at Gold Crown Lanes in St. Johnsbury. Corner Medical produced two teams with other teams from the Community Restorative Justice Center, the “Bowling Duffers” from the Agency of Human Services, and the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital “Strikers”. Area businesses sponsoring this fun event were Columbia Forest Products, Inc., North Country Federal Credit Union, Associated Insurance Agencies, Inc., and Memphremagog Press. Several other local companies provided prizes. GMUW is looking forward to its 2nd Annual Bowlers Unite Tournament in St. Johnsbury, most likely in March, 2014.

7th Annual Kaleidoscope of Talent Show Another great show on April 13, 2013 that always seems to wow the crowd! It’s no wonder since there were nineteen top notch acts by local talented artists from age 7 to 87 in song, instrumental, dance and comedy. Major sponsorships were received from Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT, the Northfield Savings Bank, Black River Design, Gardner Insurance Services, Inc., and VSECU with dozens of other smaller sponsorships and in-kind donations.

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1st Annual Golf-A-Thon 100 On June 20, 2013, Kevin Lunn, then Vice President of our Board of Directors, challenged himself to golf 100 holes non-stop at the Montpelier Country Club (at the Elks Club) and used this opportunity to raise funds for GMUW. He actually played 101 holes from 5:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. The word went out to sponsor Kevin for either a set amount or so much per hole. His goal was to raise $2,500. Lucky for us, he was sponsored for much more than that with over $4,000 received from donations and matching funds from his employer, the Northfield Savings Bank. In addition, a Montpelier High School student, Sampson Ackerson, also played the 100 holes and actually walked the entire course throughout the day. His sponsorship funds are included in the $4,000 raised. Kudos to Kevin and Sampson.

First Dental Care Day

Green Mountain United Way was instrumental in assisting with the First Free Dental Care Day in Central Vermont. On May 3, 2013, 40 adults were seen and received services in Randolph by four local dentists who gave of their time to examine these patients. The day was designed for residents of Randolph and surrounding towns who were not able to afford dental work. Sponsoring the event were Gifford Medical Center, Green Mountain United Way, the United Church of Christ and the Vermont State Dental Society.

A committee of volunteers was formed, including Betty Edson, Nancy Zorn, Dr. Arthur Knippler, Lee Moore, Michele Packard, Wendy Ross and Dr. John Westbook. These seven energetic people helped to organize and sponsor the event bringing much-needed services to the recipients. Drs. Knippler and Westbrook, along with Dr. Christopher Wilson and Dr. Mark Luttrell, evaluated the dental needs of the individuals who had signed up for the clinic and completed the services that day free of charge.

FINRA Foundation Grant

The $149,963.00 two-year grant received by GMUW in January 2011 concluded at the end of November 2013. In this last fiscal year, we and our partners (Central VT Community Action Council, Invest EAP, Lamoille Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way of Lamoille Co.) have continued to fulfill the goals of the grant.

Several community-based Financial Literacy Workshops were held in the grant’s six-county designated geographical area of Caledonia, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans and Washington. This area represents 29% of Vermont’s population and 42% of Vermont’s land area, with the average poverty level at 13.87%. The weekly workshops covered the topics of Credit and Debit Cards, Budgeting and Identity Theft, Credit Building and Repair, Insurances, and Investing and Retirement, followed by a Credit Clinic.

At several worksites, many participated in the Employee Assistance Program where housing, transportation, childcare, domestic violence and financial problems in general were discussed. Financial Literacy Workshops were also held at these locations.

In addition, a Tool Kit was developed for Non-Professional Human Resource personnel and presentations were made to several Human Resource executives in the Northeast Kingdom and Central Vermont. This tool kit is designed to help employees who are experiencing financial issues. Businesses involved have recognized the value of this training in enhanced worker productivity.

GMUW and its partners in this grant have provided essential information and training to local people that will help them make sound financial decisions for their futures.