Governor Peter Shumlin today reminded Vermonters of the upcoming Clean Up Day events on Saturday, and applauded the effort already underway to make this first annual event ‘ a massive statewide push to help Vermonters slammed by Tropical Storm Irene get their homes and lives in order for winter ‘ a success. In addition, the Governor stressed that heavy equipment, dumpsters, dump trucks and chainsaws are still needed for projects.
‘Hosted and organized locally in communities around the state, Clean Up Day is reflective of the community strength and commitment to rebuilding that significantly advanced our initial recovery,’ Governor Shumlin said. ‘On the wish list at the moment are the heavy equipment requests. Communities need dumpsters, dump trucks and other heavy equipment for clean up work. My pitch: If you’ve got this equipment, we hope you’ll help out on Saturday.’
There are three ways to participate: Donating money, providing goods like clothing, furniture and appliances to Vermonters who lost their belongings in the storm, and volunteering your time to help with a clean-up project. Governor Shumlin said people and communities can visit www.vtcleanup.org to list their needs or sign up for any or all of those ways to assist those in need.
‘People are already stepping forward to ask for help and offer assistance,’ the governor said. ‘We’re asking people to travel to areas most in need. Know that your help in these hard hit communities is critical, and will be appreciated by the families you are working with.’
The Governor said he hopes groups, businesses, neighborhoods and even friends will join together on work projects across the state ‘ which is already happening in some cases. One great example of is the University of Vermont, which has actively encouraged the entire campus to become involved in Clean Up Day activities, even providing transportation, gloves and masks to help volunteers assist with hands-on clean up efforts.
‘The pride I feel in our state in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene continues to grow as Vermonters step forward with donations of money, goods and time to help their neighbors prepare from winter,’ Governor Shumlin said.
By visiting www.vtcleanup.org, Vermonters can:
· Make a monetary donation to the VT Disaster Relief Fund, or another relief-related charity detailed on the site;
· Sign up to volunteer on the 22nd by joining or creating a team designed to take on a specific project in an affected community (unskilled laborers, as well as skilled laborers like plumbers, electricians, and heavy equipment operators who are willing to donate their time are valued!); and
· Donate to a specific need for a Vermont family through the ‘goods exchange’ set up on our website, or through a local volunteer coordinator or food shelf.
‘I am reminding everyone to step forward on Saturday to give whatever they are able ‘ money, goods and/or time,’ Governor Shumlin said. ‘In the Vermont tradition, we need to continue to come together as one community and help our neighbors in need prepare for the coming winter season. See you there!’
Governor calls on Vermonters to turn out for Clean Up Day on Saturday
Submitted by tim
on