2023 is drawing to a close and as we await the solstice and the return of the light, it’s a great time to reflect on the many, many local organizations and charities that do great work for our community, for Vermont and beyond.
December is a time when many folks make end-of-the-year donations to their favorite groups. Here’s a list of some local organizations that we recommend.
For the Love of Dogs, Vermont: This Mad River Valley-based group of volunteers re-homes dogs in kill shelters and others in the south, connecting hundreds of Vermonters with new canine family members. This year the organization placed almost 900 dogs with folks in Vermont and New Hampshire. https://fortheloveofdogsvermont.com/
Golden Huggs Rescue is another small, Waitsfield-based volunteer rescue that places golden retrievers, and dogs with golden retriever personalities in Vermont. https://www.goldenhuggs.org/
Pawsitive Pantry was founded in Warren shortly after Tropical Storm Irene and provides pet food for families throughout Central Vermont, helping families facing economic uncertainty to keep their family pets. https://pawsitivepantry.org/
The Mad River Valley Interfaith Council manages the Mad River Valley Community Pantry and also the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Basket initiative as well and many, many other community-focused programs.
https://www.mrvcommunitypantry.org/
Don’t forget Friends of the Mad River and the Mad River Path, two organizations dedicated to stewarding our rivers and waterways, and maintaining The Valley’s walkable path networks. https://friendsofthemadriver.com and https://madriverpath.org/
The Mad River Valley Community Fund is one of The Valley’s most impactful local nonprofits that has done so much for our community members over the years, from helping with car repairs, medical emergencies, flood relief, rent relief and more. https://mrvcommunityfund.org/
Open Hearth is another valuable community resource that works to provide after school programming and intergenerational community connections and interaction through a variety of programs. https://www.mrvopenhearth.org/home
Waitsfield-based Global Health Media Project produces maternal, childbirth, child care, family planning and other health care videos aimed at women in developing countries. https://globalhealthmedia.org/
Here are a few more, whose good works speak for themselves:
www.mrvas.org; https://www.mrvrotary.org/; www.mrvtv.com;
https://www.hannahshousevt.org/; https://www.mrvfreewheelin.org/
