For more information, call 257-4886 (BABB) or 254-4541 (TOWN)
Area Residents Have Opportunity To Help Hurricane Victims Today
BRATTLEBORO – Area residents will have an opportunity to help provide non-perishable items to hurricane victims today (Friday, Sept. 2) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteers may be needed to help with logistics.
In response to an effort by Gov. Jim Douglas to have Vermonters contribute non-perishable food and other supplies, Building a Better Brattleboro is opening the Robert H. Gibson River Garden on Main Street as a collection site for today only. Parking at the red-hooded meters in front of the River Garden will be free and reserved for those with donations.
According to the governor, only the following items are requested:
Bottled water (liter and larger)
Non-perishable food
Clothing (new or like-new condition only)
Infant supplies (formula, diapers, etc.)
Snacks/protein bars
First Aid kits
Transistor radios
Batteries (Sizes AA, C, D, 9V)
Flashlights
Hygiene products (bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)
Dog/cat food
Officials in the hurricane-stricken Gulf Coast region say these resources are desperately needed. Collection points have been located throughout the state. Once the donations have been collected, the Vermont State Police will escort a convoy of trucks to Gulfport, Mississippi, leaving the Brattleboro area early Saturday morning.
The local effort came about late Thursday when the governor and Vermont Emergency Management announced that 10 sites around the state were designated as collection points. Brattleboro was not on the list.
“We looked at this as an opportunity for Brattleboro residents to help with the relief effort,” said Rick Fleming, president of BABB. “Offering the River Garden as an additional drop-off point for needed items is a natural. And, people planning to attend the monthly Gallery Walk tonight will be able to have a convenient place to donate to the cause, as well.”
“It’s a great opportunity to help those in need,” according to Brattleboro Town Manager Jerry Remillard. “This is a relief effort put together in a very short time and we hope that everyone can bring items to donate.”
For information about volunteering to help, call BABB at 257-4886.