[ back ]
A Wheels for Warmth Thank You
(by Hal Cohen, Executive Director CVCAC Berlin - December 18, 2008)
Editor:
As Executive Director of Central Vermont Community Action Council, I write to express my most sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s record-shattering Wheels for Warmth event.
A virtual army of volunteers, many for the fourth consecutive year, mobilized to help promote the event, sort tires, inspect the tires, collect funds, control traffic and generally ensure that everything ran smoothly. They worked tirelessly, yet always with smiles on their faces. Tire donors and other contributors came away feeling great for their participation and, as you may have heard, over $32,000 was raised! Additionally, many people were able to purchase good winter tires at rock-bottom prices, to say nothing of removing many hundreds of old tires from our waste stream and recycling them properly.
As has been the case in years past, the money raised through Wheels for Warmth is one of the single most significant charitable contributions to CVCAC’s fuel programs. Last year, our Crisis Fuel, Share Heat and Warmth programs provided more than 1,300 fuel assists to families in central Vermont. Sadly, given the current economic downturn, the number of families who need help, but who don’t qualify for federal fuel assistance is rising. These funds help assure that we can continue to help all families facing dire home heating situations.
Finally, I’d like to reiterate my deepest appreciation to Senator Phil Scott and the individuals, organizations and entities principally involved in coordinating Wheels for Warmth, including Casella Waste Management (which also donated 100% of the tire recycling proceeds) and a host of other dedicated, selfless groups and individuals. To me, this event cuts to the core of what it means to be part of a community – volunteering for a good cause, helping take care of our physical environment, providing assistance to our less fortunate neighbors and helping to maintain public safety.
Thank you all so much for making Wheels for Warmth 2008 such a success!
Hal Cohen, Executive Director
CVCAC
Berlin
[ back ]
