It's Autumn Already

After a glorious autumn, we're gearing up for the holiday season. As part of a huge community effort, we'll be providing the 10th Annual Holiday Dinner for Seniors---both a delivered meal and sitdown dinner, complete with giftbags, on Christmas Day throughout Chittenden County. The Burlington School Food Project, Champlain Valley Agency on Aging, Elks Lodge, Temple Sinai, and many others come together to make the holiday season sweeter for almost 300 older Vermonters.This summer, we were happy to partner with the Vermont Community Garden Network and the New England Grassroots Environment Fund to provide new gardens and an 8-week educational program at Ethan Allen Residence, a nursing center. It was very satisfying as Maggie Callahan enticed folks to come on out into the sunshine, play in the dirt, have healthy snacks, and chat with each other.If we can raise enough money, we'll be able to fund a couple of senior centers as they try to continue providing meals for older Vermonters. That would be great!Looking ahead to March, Penny Cluse Café will host our annual "Show of HANDS", decorated wooden hands that adorn the walls there and are then purchased through a silent auction. Holly Cluse, Charles Reeves, and the staff there are so generous and enthusiastic.So, there's lots going on as we launch our annual fundraising efforts, plan the holiday season, and begin to pass out the wooden hands for artistic inspiration. Thanks to everyone who will help along the way!