Posted by Nancy Danforth on Mar 10, 2022

March 9, 2022 Guest speaker is Eric Axelrod from Wood 4 Good.

 

Susan called the meeting to order at 7:30.

 

Susan welcomed Eric Axelrod.

 

The club continues to seek a breakfast cook to replace France.  An ad has been placed on Front Porch Forum. 

 

Susan reminded us The town of Shelburne still has the mask mandate in public buildings.

 

Roz Graham informed the club that a list of non-profits is being compiled for us to use when scheduling the Farmers Market tent we will have this season.  It was decided that the organizations do not just have to be located in Shelburne.  Sailing Beyond Cancer, All Soul’s Interfaith Gathering, Wood 4 Good and the Shelburne Food Shelf have already expressed an interest in occupying the CSH Rotary sponsored tent.  The three weeks per month CSH Rotary does not occupy the tent, these organizations will.    “Community Corner” was discussed as a name for the CSH Rotary tent and location.  

 

After the meeting, the donated backpacks for the Afghanistan family will be packed and delivered by Susan. 

 

Susan now needs one more member to assist her with the race on March 13th

 

The club Spin-a-thon will be held on April 9 at The Shelburne Athletic Club with three sessions. The money will fund the purchase of three Automatic External Defibrillators which will be placed in a public place in each of our three towns.  The cost is about $2,000 each.  Chris Davis advised that the Rescue clubs would provide the training.  Those who cannot participate will be able to donate. 

 

Carrie announced there are two RYLA candidates at this point.  Interviews will be arranged in the coming weeks. 

 

Carrie will be working on the design of the banner to be hung at the Shelburne Little League field.  Let her know of any ideas. 

 

Linda Barker announced that next Wednesday is Megan Nick day in Shelburne. She will be at the Shelburne Athletic Club 3:30-4:30 with a parade in the Olympian champion’s honor afterwards. 

 

Richard Fox announced that donations can be made to The Rotary Foundation for the Disaster Response Fund to Ukraine.  Earmark your money as such whether mailing in a check or doing so online at https://www.rotary.org/en

 

 

Susan introduced Eric Axelrod whom, with his sons in 2019, discovered they had more firewood than they needed. After giving some away, one of his sons asked if they could donate wood for good again and the 501c3 nonprofit was born.  Eric indicated forty percent of Vermonters use wood as a primary or secondary source of heat.  

 

Erik cited their mission statement as helping neighbors stay warm by providing seasoned firewood for families in need.

 

Currently, they service seventy-five families, with the goal being one hundred and forty.  Most of the wood is donated to their organizations by local tree businesses.  They rely on publicity for community awareness and hope to utilize farmers markets and front porch forum in the near future.  All the work is done by volunteers on a farm in Jericho using purchased or donated equipment relative to splitting and delivering the wood.   

 

Their annual budget right now is about $15,000.  These monies help them purchase more equipment. 

Their goals for 2022 are to deliver one hundred and forty cords next winter, add one more person to the board and one Saturday Volunteer Manager.  They can always use more volunteers. In the future, they hope to establish pods in county corners(like Milton and Hinesburg(, share equipment and branch out to cover the entire state.  

 

Every Sunday is volunteer Sunday, 9-11:30.   You can donate on their website, mail a check or go to their Go Fund Me site. 

 

Susan presented the book A Landowner’s Guide to Managing Your Woods by Ann Larkin Hansen which will be donated to the Carpenter Carse Library is his name.

 

Susan adjourned the meeting at 8:30.