Thursday,
July 3
Pownal Pledge effort
advancing
POWNAL — As the economic stimulus checks
have been arriving in the mail, Pownal citizens have
followed through on their election day pledge to keep funds local and
contribute a portion to the Friends of Pownal.
With a little over 20 percent of the pledges received,
contributors met recently to discuss and prioritize a wide range of ideas for
this collective philanthropy. After much discussion, the following three
priorities surfaced with the understanding that as additional contributions are
received other ideas will be considered.
First, the group decided to immediately contribute $500 toward the
purchase of a shade tent for Oak Hill Children's Center.
Second, the group allocated funds to investigate and to support
efforts to freeze and can the abundance of locally grown produce. Research into
both resources and compliance with health and safety regulations is needed. The
hope is that preserved locally grown food could be available to the food bank
throughout the winter.
Third, the group will contribute funds to already existing
organizations that assist with weatherization. These funds will target
expanding weatherization assistance to more Pownal
families.
Among the ideas
discussed but not funded at this time are supporting the following: activities
for 250th anniversary of Pownal celebration, efforts
to establish and promoting hiking trails in Pownal,
a Pownal
newsletter and helping existing organizations in their fund raising through
challenge grants.
It is not too late to become part of this community philanthropy.
Checks should be made out to "Friends of Pownal"
and mailed to Pownal Pledge c/o Rose-Marie Pelletier,