It's time for VHFA's annual mitten drive for Burlington's King Street Center and we need your help. Donations of new mittens, gloves, hats, or scarves to our office on the corner of King and St. Paul Streets in Burlington are heartily welcome any time before Friday, December 9. Waterproof gloves and mittens are especially appreciated.
Charity
VHFA wins United Way “President’s Award”
VHFA received the President’s Award from the United Way of Chittenden County.
VHFA has won the award a number of times over the years. In 2005, we won the “Campaign of the Year,” the United Way’s top award.
The President’s Award recognizes more than 80 percent employee participation in United Way fundraising, with employee giving of more than $75 per capita.
COTS Walk coming Sunday
Burlington's Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) is holding its annual COTS Walk fundraiser Sunday.
About 1,500 people are expected to take the three-mile trek to raise money and help draw attention to the needs of the homeless. The route follows the path a homeless person might travel to receive shelter and services in the Queen City.
Mitten drive on Fox44
VHFA's 2010 Mitten Drive was the subject of a piece on WVNY-TV Channel 22 and Fox44-TV last night.
Executive Director Sarah Carpenter appeared in the segment talking about the Agency's 2010 Mitten Drive to benefit the King Street Center in Burlington.
VHFA staff have donated mittens and gloves stuffed with candy to the center for many years. This year, the Agency's tied the drive to a social media campaign: We'll donate a pair of mittens or gloves to the center for every new "fan" who "likes" the VHFA Facebook page.
VHFA "adopts" Lund family for the holidays
VHFA is again participating in the Lund Family Center's Holiday Giving Program.
As part of the program, the Agency "adopts" a young family in need, and staff members donate items to help assure the family has gifts for the holidays.
This year, VHFA has been paired with Sarah, a 16-year-old mother, and her 1-year-old daughter, Sonia.
The Lund Family Center provides services for young women who are pregnant and parenting, families with young children and adoptive families.
VHFA to donate clothing, candy to King Street Center
VHFA will donate a pair of mittens stuffed with candy to Burlington’s King Street Center for every new fan that joins the Agency’s Facebook page through Wednesday, Dec. 15.
“Our ‘mitten stuffing’ drive has been a holiday tradition at VHFA for many years,” according to Executive Director Sarah Carpenter. “This year, we thought we’d up the ante by agreeing to donate a pair of mitten or gloves stuffed with holiday candy for every new fan who joins the Agency’s Facebook page.”
Food drive at Nov. 18 conference
We'll be collecting non-perishable food goods at the Nov. 18 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference.
Like our last conference in 2008, all donations will benefit the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf (CEFS), the largest food shelf in Vermont, serving more than 10,000 people a year.
According to CEFS, these items make the best donations:
VHFA "adopts" a Lund family
For the second year, VHFA participated in the Lund Family Center's "Adopt-a-Family" program.
Staff members donated gifts and household staples to benefit an area family in need.
Lund serves families with children; pregnant or parenting teens and young adults; and adoptive families. Learn more at the Lund Family Center Web site.
Mittens stuffed with care
Quick follow-up to yesterday's post about VHFA's annual mitten stuffing to benefit the King Street Center in Burlington:
VHFA staff members managed to collect and stuff with candy 166 pairs of mittens, gloves and hats to donate to the center.
Season's Greetings to our King Street neighbors across the street!
Mitten stuffing for charity
The VHFA elves this hour are stuffing donated mittens and gloves full of treats for the King Street Center in Burlington.
The holiday tradition goes back years and years.
The center is a non-profit community organization that provides children and families the core life-building skills necessary for a healthy and productive future.