Thanks for opening the first in this series of weekly updates on ways in which  
YOU can help out with Irene Relief efforts in the Upper Valley and our neighboring  
communities!

**Irene Relief & You: Opportunities in HIGHLIGHTS** (see below for details)
1. Holiday Food Drive: help families celebrate Thanksgiving by donating to the  
Upper Valley Haven
2. Cooking for the Community: cook or bake fresh meals to be delivered to families  
by St. Paul's Church in WRJ
3. Monetary or Gift card donations: take your fundraiser to the next level!
4. COVER Home Repair Projects: help repair and weatherize homes in the Upper Valley
5. Reach out to individual families in need: grant their donation requests

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DETAILS.......

1. Holiday Food Drive: Help families maintain Thanksgiving traditions by collecting  
the following items, which will be donated to the Upper Valley Haven:
Cranberry Sauce
Canned yams
Stuffing mix
Gravy Mix
Instant potatoes
Pie crusts
Pie fillings 
Green beans 
Spices/herbs 
Canned soups 
Canned vegetables

Other items always needed at the Haven Food Shelf: cereal, peanut butter, jelly,  
pasta, macaroni and cheese, snack items, canned fruit, baking items, rice, etc.
Perishable items also welcome: Eggs, cheese, quarts of milk, butter, yogurt,  
beef, chicken, pork, fish, etc.
**What you can do now: start fundraising, buying, and collecting needed items! 
**What to stay tuned for: collection box locations and when they'll be available

==> Have other items that you want to donate or other questions? Contact  
Nishreen Ali & Kelly McGlinchey (Palaeop) or Amanda Marinoff

2. Cook for the community

St. Paul's Church has provided fresh food, meals, and emotional support to flood  
victims throughout VT. The volunteers continue to need support in providing these  
services to very grateful community members! 

Current Needs: 
-  Baked goods (cookies, brownies, banana bread, etc.... get creative!) can  
be used every day
- Fruits & vegetables 
-Casseroles: please serve in microwavable dish and label with ingredients
-Soup: can be cooked and frozen in 1 gallon ziplock bags

==>To schedule days to cook, donate supplies, or receive more information  
blitz
Amanda Marinoff or Wade Islan.

3. Planning a fundraiser but unsure of what to do with the $$$?

*Take your bake sale one step further and use the funds raised to buy  gas cards,  
grocery store cards, and/or gift cards to Home Depot or Walmart.  
	St. Paul's Church in White River Junction will be donating these cards to families  
who lost many basic pieces of their lives in the storm.
	www.vters4vters.org is a grassroots relief organization looking for donations.  
100% of donations go to help Vermont residents recover from Irene.

*A number of other direct donation opportunities can be found at http://vtresponse.wordpress.com/donations-2/

==> For more information blitz Amanda Marinoff or Wade Islan

4. Help rebuild and repair with COVER Home Repair

COVER Home Repair is an Upper Valley affordable housing organization that is working  
to repair homes damaged by Irene. COVER will be working throughout the coming  
year to help residents of the Upper Valley affected by the tropical storm. 

==> To schedule a build or for more information contact Zain (Muhammad Zain-Ul-Abideen) 
or Wade Islan

5. Reach out to families in need: grant their donation requests

-Help a family who lost everything except the walls of her home. Suggested donation  
items:

Kitchen items: dish towels, dishes, glasses, cups, cookbook, etc.
Linens: towels, bed linens
Items that make home feel like home: picture frames, decorations, clock etc.
-Folding tables and chairs needed at the Wilmington Baptist Church (severely damaged  
from  flooding during the storm) 
==> If you're interested in helping, blitz Amanda Marinoff or Wade Islan 

6. On-site volunteer opportunities: get in the action! 
-Volunteer at Bethel's Irene Recovery and Renew Center
The center is looking for volunteers to help answer phones and work the morning  
shift 9-11Monday, Wednesday, Friday. If you are interested in volunteering, please  
call 802-234-2188.
-Basement muck-out in Granville at a single family home: work can happen any day,  
starting at 9 am. Call 802-917-3179 if you are interested in helping with  
this on-going project.

*For more updates on to-the-minute needs in VT check out http://vtresponse.wordpress.com/. 
==> Need help coordinating your volunteer experience? Blitz Wade Islan or  
Amanda Marinoff.