Vermont Business Magazine The Rock Paper Scissors Tournament, presented by VSECU, energetically raised $16,000 for ANEW Place, a homeless service organization in Burlington that provides long-term solutions for homeless men and women to transform and start anew. The throwdown took place on September 21st and was hosted by the BTV Airport. In addition to dozens of spectators, over 65 contestants came out to battle it out for the grand prize.
The celebrity judges added a welcomed competitive spirit to the tournament and included: Jane Knodell, Burlington City Council President; Don Laackman, President of Champlain College; Don Baker, Vermont Market President at KeyBank; Erin Cofiell, Local 22/44 Sports Reporter; Rylee Field, Miss Vermont 2016; and ANEW’s very own Executive Director, Valerie Brosseau. “I was proud to be able to participate in their successful Rock Paper Scissors fundraiser,” said Don Laackman, “the work of ANEW is vital to the most underserved citizens in our community." Al Getler, President of the Burlington Free Press, was the distinguished emcee for the evening and brought great humor, energy, and clarity to the competition.
Competitors made it through seven grueling rounds on the Battleground until at last Ray Racine of Hallam-ICS in South Burlington and Alison Rogers from the Coldwell Banker Hickok and Boardman team went “hand-to-hand” in the final round. Racine won the Grand Prize of a $500 Visa Gift Card, donated by Julie C. Richards Photography, to which he immediately donated back to the ANEW Place! “What an amazing event with a creative and fun touch!” said Gene Richards, Director of the BTV Airport, “Thank you for doing amazing work for people that are down on their luck and looking to reach their potential.”
Sponsors for the event included: VSECU, Spruce Mortgage, Uncommon Grounds, Encore Renewable Energy, Seventh Generation, Davis & Hodgdon Associates, Brian’s North End Automotive, Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman, Gallagher Flynn & Company, Pomerleau Real Estate, Reconciled It, TLC Homecare & Nursing Associates, Hark, Julie C. Richard’s Photography, BTV Airport, and Skinny Pancake. Special thanks to Julie Richards of Julie C. Richard’s photography for her incredibly hard work and generous investment in organizing the Rock Paper Scissors Tournament. It would not have been the success it was without her leadership and involvement.
ANEW Place has expanded its programming beyond temporary relief to now foster life-long change in all of the homeless persons that they serve. By addressing the root causes of homelessness, ANEW Place aims to see an end to the cycle of homelessness in which so many find themselves trapped. Through the transformation of one person at a time, ANEW Place is creating systemic change within our community.