From left to right, Dan Jones, Devin Axelrod, and Andy Leach cut and split wood as part of efforts by the Jericho-based non-profit, Wood4Good, to provide free firewood for Vermonters in need. Wood4Good recently received a grant from the Vermont Electric Co-op’s Community Fund to help purchase a more productive log splitter. Photo courtesy Wood4Good.
Vermont Business Magazine Eric Axelrod of Jericho says it will be a “game changer.”
He’s talking about a new commercial grade log splitter that his non-profit, Wood4Good, is raising money to buy. The machine will be able to split bucked wood into 12 pieces per pass, not the more common two or four.
This new machine, supported in part by a recent $1,000 grant from the Vermont Electric Co-op’s Community Fund, will greatly increase production capacity, allowing Wood4Good to provide far more free firewood to Vermonters in need than it has to date. Specifically, the new machine will be able to produce three times more wood than any of the organization’s existing machines, Axelrod said.
Wood4Good is a “wood bank” that operates similarly to a food bank, and there is no criteria for need for the free wood they supply families in need to heat their homes. In 2022, Wood4Good was able to give away 140 loads of firewood - that is 1.2 cords per family - totaling 190 cords of distribution.
This year, Wood4Good’s goal is to give away at least 250 loads, or more. “This machine puts that lofty goal within reach,” Axelrod said. “We’re grateful to the VEC Community Fund for this support,” he said.
Wood4Good counts on volunteers as well, to cut and split wood, load trucks, make deliveries, and more. The eventual goal is to be operating in every county in the state. At the moment, the organization is hoping to expand into Johnson, to facilitate deliveries of firewood to communities throughout Lamoille county and beyond.
Axelrod says that Wood4Good is committed to reducing heat insecurity for families in Vermont. “We value our community and the people who live here, and are committed to helping as many people as possible stay warm in the cold winter months.”
The VEC Community Fund is a voluntary program supported by VEC members who choose to round up their electric bills, donate their patronage capital dollars, or make one-time donations to the fund. The fund then makes grants to local organizations that support economic security, emergency/disaster relief, community support/development, and food security.
To learn more about Wood4Good, including how to sign up for free wood, or donate your time or money to bring wood to Vermonters in need, go to https://wood4goodvt.org/. To learn more about the VEC Community Fund and how you can support it or apply for funding, go to https://vermontelectric.coop/community-fund
About Vermont Electric Cooperative
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), established in 1938, is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility that provides safe, affordable, and reliable electric service to approximately 33,000 members in 75 communities in northern Vermont. Committed to a 100 percent carbon-free power supply, VEC is nationally recognized for innovative and advanced use of technology. VEC is the largest locally-owned electric distribution utility in Vermont. www.vermontelectric.coop
Johnson, Vt - VEC 1.25.2023
