july 2023
VT Flood Response
Thanks to the many of you who have already donated to help Vermont in the wake of historic and catastrophic flooding. It has been wrenching to see the damage first hand and to contemplate the long road ahead for so many. Sadly, the crisis is ongoing. It has continued to rain most days since the worst of the flood began on July 10th and flood warnings remain in effect for the coming days.
It has also been uplifting to see the outpouring of support for suffering Vermonters. Pennywise is honored to be able to play a role in the response. We have dedicated our energy to assessing flood related fundraising efforts that are underway around the state. We have strengthened old partnerships and entered into exciting new ones to achieve our goal of maximizing the impact of every penny we contribute to relief efforts.
For our initial response Pennywise is supporting the following organizations:
The Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund
Thanks to the many of you who have already donated to help Vermont in the wake of historic and catastrophic flooding. It has been wrenching to see the damage first hand and to contemplate the long road ahead for so many. Sadly, the crisis is ongoing. It has continued to rain most days since the worst of the flood began on July 10th and flood warnings remain in effect for the coming days.
It has also been uplifting to see the outpouring of support for suffering Vermonters. Pennywise is honored to be able to play a role in the response. We have dedicated our energy to assessing flood related fundraising efforts that are underway around the state. We have strengthened old partnerships and entered into exciting new ones to achieve our goal of maximizing the impact of every penny we contribute to relief efforts.
For our initial response Pennywise is supporting the following organizations:
The Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund
- The Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund is raising money to provide grants to Vermont's small business owners impacted by the flooding. These Vermonters are vital to communities and desperately need support to see them through this crisis. The Fund will provide grants beginning at $2,500 per business to cover costs such as equipment replacement, supplies and to help with clean-up. This assistance will help bridge the gap until further support is available.
- The Intervale Center is a Vermont non-profit that works to strengthen community food systems through its 360-acre farm located along the Winooski River in Burlington and by supporting farms across the state. The heavy rain and rising waters from the Winooski River on the worst days of the flooding inundated the Intervale. This critical organization needs funds to restore its own infrastructure which they will do as they simultaneously work diligently to channel funds to other impacted farms and to address increased food insecurity in the wake of the disaster.
- Immediately following the worst days of the flooding, The Vermont Community Foundation established the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund to meet urgent needs and generate resources for the essential and far-reaching recovery efforts that will be needed to build back across towns and villages, farms and families, watersheds, and homes. As a leading Vermont focused non-profit, the Community Foundation is uniquely situated to coordinate giving efforts. They are working in close contact with the Governor’s office, state agency officials, other philanthropic groups, local leaders, and partners across the state.
february 2023
Responding to Earthquake Survivors in Syria
Our partners at Alight began immediately to provide critical support for Syrians who’ve been displaced from their homes by the massive earthquake that hit the region on February 6, 2023. Alight has provided food, warm clothing and blankets, hygiene items, and heated, safe shelter for over 1,000 families in Aleppo, Syria. They also offered cash support to bridge families through the disaster and, when possible, helped people make repairs and return to their homes.
Our partners at Alight began immediately to provide critical support for Syrians who’ve been displaced from their homes by the massive earthquake that hit the region on February 6, 2023. Alight has provided food, warm clothing and blankets, hygiene items, and heated, safe shelter for over 1,000 families in Aleppo, Syria. They also offered cash support to bridge families through the disaster and, when possible, helped people make repairs and return to their homes.
june-october 2022
Resources for Flood Survivors in Pakistan
Pennywise worked with Alight to play its role in alleviating the plight of flood victims in Pakistan. Through a large network of volunteers and partners, Alight has provided relief support across four provinces where the response had been limited. Alight distributed food packets and collaborated with multiple organizations, sharing its experience and capacity to address various flood-related challenges.
Pennywise worked with Alight to play its role in alleviating the plight of flood victims in Pakistan. Through a large network of volunteers and partners, Alight has provided relief support across four provinces where the response had been limited. Alight distributed food packets and collaborated with multiple organizations, sharing its experience and capacity to address various flood-related challenges.
august 2021
Haiti Earthquake Emergency Response
Pennywise helped provide direct support through our dear friends at SOIL. Two local Haitian community leaders from the south took emergency supplies to the areas affected and assessed the needs of the people there.
All of SOIL's relief efforts were conducted in partnership with trusted local organizations.
Pennywise helped provide direct support through our dear friends at SOIL. Two local Haitian community leaders from the south took emergency supplies to the areas affected and assessed the needs of the people there.
All of SOIL's relief efforts were conducted in partnership with trusted local organizations.
september 2017
Anguilla Heritage Assessment Project.
Hurricane Irma, a category 5 hurricane made landfall on islands in the eastern Caribbean on September 6, 2017. The storm devastated the island of Anguilla, causing widespread damage to buildings and utilities infrastructure. Among those buildings damaged or destroyed were some of the oldest structures on the island including churches and those associated with the island’s historic salt industry. Erosion of coastal pre-Columbian archaeological sites is also expected to have occurred.
This project was led by the University of Vermont and included the Government of Anguilla, the Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society, and the Pennywise Foundation. Together, project partners worked to identify potential for cultural preservation efforts to support humanitarian relief efforts through job creation, clean-up and rebuilding initiatives.
Hurricane Irma, a category 5 hurricane made landfall on islands in the eastern Caribbean on September 6, 2017. The storm devastated the island of Anguilla, causing widespread damage to buildings and utilities infrastructure. Among those buildings damaged or destroyed were some of the oldest structures on the island including churches and those associated with the island’s historic salt industry. Erosion of coastal pre-Columbian archaeological sites is also expected to have occurred.
This project was led by the University of Vermont and included the Government of Anguilla, the Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society, and the Pennywise Foundation. Together, project partners worked to identify potential for cultural preservation efforts to support humanitarian relief efforts through job creation, clean-up and rebuilding initiatives.