Tag Archives: Black River Good Neighbors

OKEMO’S GENEROSITY HELPS FEED HUNDREDS

Posted on April 18, 2013 | Leave a comment
Submitted by Susan McNeely

In a spectacularly successful promotion, Okemo Mountain Resort collected thousands of pounds of food for the Black River Good Neighbor Services’ food shelf. An unprecedented 8 pick-up truck loads full of food was collected. On Saturday, March 30th, skiers who brought items of non-perishable food skied at a deeply discounted rate. Hundreds of skiers took advantage of the generous offer. 

“So many families will benefit from this tremendous show of support that it’s almost impossible to express our overwhelming gratitude to Okemo and the generous folks who took part in the day’s donation and activities,” said Audrey Bridge, Executive Director of BRGNS’s Food Shelf and Thrift Shop. Pete LaBelle, President of the Board of Directors, said “the Okemo Mountain Ambassadors who worked so hard collecting, sorting and loading the food also deserve our grateful acknowledgement for their important role in the success of this endeavor. Special thanks go to Okemo’s Diane and Tim Mueller without whose support none of this could have happened”. LaBelle also acknowledged that the timing could not have been better since BRGNS’ food shelf was running low due to increased demand. 

BRGNS also acknowledges the generosity of the skiers who participated. Many brought more items than they needed and some also donated cash. The wider community can always be counted on here in Vermont to help those who need it most. 

Black River Good Neighbor Services provides food and limited financial assistance to qualified individuals and families in Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly and Plymouth. It also operates a thrift store at 37B Main Street in Ludlow to defray many of the costs of running the food shelf and programs. For information or to volunteer your services, please call Audrey Bridge at 802-228-3663.

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BRGNS Named Number 1 in Valley Business Journal Poll

Posted on April 14, 2013 | Leave a comment

Valley Business Award 2013

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Black River Good Neighbors Services Needs Your Help

Posted on April 1, 2013 | Leave a comment
Submitted by Susan McNeely

Spring is here, despite the snow, and it is that time of year to change over to a simpler wardrobe for the summer. As you do your spring cleaning and paring SONY DSCdown, please think of those who are in need. All the clothes that you and your children have outgrown but that are still in good shape can be donated to help those who are less fortunate. Clothes that no longer fit because they are too big or too small, will be so appreciated by someone who needs them. As you clean out your drawers and closets to make room for your new seasonal items please bring your unwanted items to Black River Good Neighbors Services. Kitchen items, linens, blankets, bedspreads and quilts are appreciated as are knick knacks and decorative items. Furniture, both indoor and outdoor is always needed. 

As always, food items are welcome too. Cash donations are gratefully accepted and all donations are tax deductible.Donations of money can buy 5 five times more food than you can buy since we buy through the Vermont Foodbank. Donations of any kind can be dropped off at our Thrift Store or mailed to 37B Main Street, Ludlow. Special arrangements must be made for donations of furniture and any large items.

Black River Good Neighbor Services provides food and limited financial assistance to qualified individuals and families in Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly and Plymouth. We operate a thrift store at 37B Main Street in Ludlow to defray many of the costs of running the food shelf and our other programs. For information or to volunteer your services, please call Audrey Bridge at 802-228-3663.

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Good Neighbors Prepares for Spring Rummage Sale

Posted on March 31, 2013 | Leave a comment

While May 17 through 19 may seem far away, to Audrey Bridge, Director of Black River Good Neighbor Services (BRGNS), it’s very close. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

May 17-19 will be when BRGNS runs its Spring Rummage sale. 

BRGNS is asking for clothing for adults and kids, sporting goods, books, puzzles, movies, kitchen items, linens, knick knacks, and holiday (all) decorations. Of course winter clothing and other items are always welcome. 

“These items will provide shoppers with good quality merchandise at a fraction of the original cost,” Bridge noted. She added that the organization and preparation of these various items takes considerable time so that the rummage sale shoppers can easily select what they need. 

Items may be brought to BRGNS’ Thrift Store at 37 B Main Street in Ludlow, next to the Ludlow Community Complex (where the tank is). In the case of furniture items, BRGS requests that donors call 228-3663 to arrange for movement of furniture items into the storage facilities used for furniture at the rummage sale. 

The Rummage Sale will be held at Fletcher Farm. For information or answers to questions, call 228-3663.

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NOTHING STOPS THIS MAN’S GENEROSITY

Posted on February 2, 2013 | 1 Comment
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Submitted by Peter J. LaBelle

Some local citizens consistently go above and beyond the call of duty in helping Black River Good Neighbor Services achieve their mission.  Carmine Guica is one of those people.  On Monday, January 28th the ninety year old Cavendish resident made his monthly trip to the grocery store in order to buy food to donate to BRGNS. 

Carmine Gucia is pictured on the left with Jim Fuller, past President of BRGNS

Carmine Gucia is pictured on the left with Jim Fuller, past President of BRGNS

He has made this trip every month for almost as long as BRGNS has been providing food to neighbors who are in need.  This trip was different, however.

Although snow was predicted for late in the day, it arrived much earlier and coated area roads with a slick mixture making driving dangerous and difficult.  Unfortunately it started while Carmine was at the grocery store and caught him unawares.  That didn’t stop him from stocking up on food basics for his monthly donation though.  Car loaded, Carmine set off for Ludlow and BRGNS.  It was on the River Road in Cavendish that he met an icy patch on which he slid, overturning his car next to the river.

Immediately the rescue call went to the Weathersfield and Cavendish Fire Departments and the Ludlow Ambulance, each of which quickly responded.  Carmine was helped from the wreck and almost miraculously he was barely harmed.  Refusing transport to the local hospital, he insisted that he had to deliver the food that he had bought for BRGNS.  Without a car that would have been a difficult task, but that’s when other good neighbors stepped in to help.  The Cavendish Fire Department gathered up the cans and boxes, re-bagged them and loaded them into their fire truck.  Off they went with Carmine to make the almost ill-fated delivery.  Fortunately, Carmine was uninjured and is off to find a new car.

“There are not enough good words for us to thank Carmine and the Cavendish Fire Department,” said Audrey Bridge, Executive Director at BRGNS.  “Carmine is one of our best volunteer donors and there must be a guardian angel watching over him.  In this case the guardian angel has helpers; they are wearing the Cavendish Fire Department coats and hats.”

“It’s not often that we see someone of Carmine’s unselfish spirit helping others so consistently for such a long period,” said Peter LaBelle, President of the BRGNS Board.  “But that’s why Black River Good Neighbors can help as many people as it does.  Volunteers and donors like Carmine and the firefighters of Cavendish carry us through.  We cannot thank them enough for their actions.”

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Cavendish Fire Dept Helps Good Samaritan Deliver Food to BRGNS

Posted on January 31, 2013 | 1 Comment

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This past Monday, Carmine Gucia, a long time Cavendish resident and supporter of Black River Good Neighbor Services (BRGNS), was on his way to delivering groceries he had purchased for the BRGNS Food Shelf, when his car overturned on

Carmine Gucia is pictured on the left with Jim Fuller, past President of BRGNS

Carmine Gucia is pictured on the left with Jim Fuller, past President of BRGNS

an icy Route 131.  The Ludlow Ambulance, Weathersfield Police, and Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department all responded to the scene of the accident.  Carmine was extricated from his vehicle and, fortunately, was able to walk away from the accident.  He was examined by the ambulance personnel and declined medical assistance.  He was most concerned that the groceries he was delivering to BRGNS’ Food Shelf would be lost.  For a man who had recently celebrated his 90th birthday, his concern about the groceries reflected his habit of bringing groceries to BRGNS every month.  According to Audrey Bridge, BRGNS Director, ” He has been bringing food monthly to the foodshelf for as long as anyone can remember but we are sure for more than a decade. He is such a very thoughtful guy, always remembers something sweet for ‘the kids’ as he says”.  Pictured above are Captain Patrick McLean and Chaplain Abraham Gross of the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department in front of Cavendish Fire Engine 2 who decided to honor Carmine’s concerns and deliver the food items to BRGNS.

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OKEMO’S GENEROSITY HELPS FEED HUNDREDS

Posted on January 22, 2013 | Leave a comment
Submitted by Susan McNeely

In a spectacularly successful promotion, Okemo Mountain Resort collected thousands of pounds of food for the Black River Good Neighbor Services’ food shelf and for the Holiday Basket Program. On Saturday, December 15th, skiers who brought items of non-perishable food, or a children’s toy, skied at a deeply discounted rate. Hundreds of skiers took advantage of the generous offer.

“So many families will benefit from this tremendous show of support that it’s almost impossible to express our overwhelming gratitude to Okemo and the generous folks who took part in the day’s donation and activities” said Audrey Bridge, Executive Director of BRGNS’s Food Shelf and Thrift Shop. Pete LaBelle, President of the Board of Directors, said “the Okemo employees who worked so hard collecting, sorting and loading the food also deserve our grateful acknowledgement for their important role in the success of this endeavor, and special thanks to Okemo Mountain Resort owners Diane and Tim Mueller without whose support none of this could have happened”. LaBelle also acknowledged that the timing could not have been better since BRGNS starts its Holiday Basket Program at the beginning of December and needs extra food for that distribution.

In addition to collecting food from skiers, Okemo went one step farther. To fill the holiday baskets that BRGNS distributed, Okemo donated 100 frozen turkeys. Lee Potter, who directed BRGNS’ Holiday Basket Program said, “We couldn’t do it without them. Okemo is a true partner of ours.”

BRGNS also acknowledges the generosity of the skiers who participated. Many brought more items than they needed and some donated cash too. The wider community can always be counted on here in Vermont to help those who need it most. Black River Good Neighbor Services provides food and limited financial assistance to qualified individuals and families in Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly and Plymouth. It also operates a thrift store at 37B Main Street in Ludlow to defray many of the costs of running the food shelf programs. For information or to volunteer your services, please call Audrey Bridge at 802-228-3663.

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BRGNS THANKS SHAW’S MARKET AS A KEY PARTNER

Posted on January 7, 2013 | Leave a comment
Submitted by Susan McNeeley

Black River Good Neighbor Services applauds and thanks Shaw’s Market in Ludlow for making BRGNS the beneficiary this holiday season of Shaw’s Spirit of Giving 2012 Food Drive.   

The store pre-packaged several different sized food bags, which sold for $5, $10, or $15.  The smallest size provided a full meal plus to an individual, while the largest bag could feed up to eight people. 

The campaign began just before Thanksgiving and continued right through the holidays.  AudreyBridge, Executive Director at BRGNS said, “We have always enjoyed fabulous support from Shaw’s and are very excited about the impact their current campaign will have on our clients who have to choose between food and heat as their cost of living increases.  This just goes to show that even in these tough times Shaw’s is looking out for their neighbors in new and creative ways.” 

BRGNS and Shaw’s also collaborated on the annual Stuff-a-Bus on December 1st when hundreds of pounds of food were collected in the Shaw’s parking lot.  For that effort the town helped by providing a bus and driver, and the high school helped by providing student volunteers to sort and box the donations.  “It’s truly a community effort,” said Jean Eggleston, a member of the BRGNS Board of Directors and the coordinator of the Stuff-a-Bus.  “We can count on all sectors of the community to help – from the students to the businesses to the donors.  Shaw’s is a key partner in our efforts.” 

Black River Good Neighbor Services provides food and financial assistance to people in need in Ludlow, Cavendish, MountHolly and Plymouth.  For information on how to volunteer, please contact AudreyBridge at 802-228-3663.

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BRGNS – FURNITURE DONATIONS ALWAYS IN NEED

Posted on December 18, 2012 | Leave a comment
Submitted by Susan McNeely

For over twenty five years Black River Good Neighbor Services has served the community with a thrift store that depends on the community’s generous donations and we deeply appreciate all of the donations that we receive.  Our newly opened used furniture store at 105 Main Street, Ludlow has been quite successful in serving area residents and as the donations come in they quickly go out.  Just as at our main thrift store, sales directly benefit the community.  Whether from sales of clothing or of furniture, we put all of our profits into buying food or paying rent, heat and utilities for those in need. 

We are so grateful to all of our benefactors and the support that we receive from so many kind people.  But the need is great, so we ask that as you receive new furniture please think of BRGNS for your used, quality unwanted pieces.  If you are downsizing and have unwanted furniture or are cleaning out closets and drawers to make room for the new, please keep BRGNS in mind.  You can arrange to donate furniture by calling (802) 228-3663.  We will find a mutually convenient time to accept your delivery.  Non-furniture deliveries are accepted Monday through Saturday at our thrift store, 37B Main Street, Ludlow.  We will provide a receipt as all donations are tax deductible.  As always, cash is always welcome. 

The need is still great for food, warm clothing, bedding—anything that is in good condition. 

We at BRGNS wish you the jolliest of holidays and the happiest New Year!

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BRGNS Stuff a Bus Date Is Set for Dec. 1 at Shaw’s

Posted on November 9, 2012 | Leave a comment
Submitted by Christine Fuller

Before we know it the holiday season will be upon us.   It is a time of year that marks significant need in our communities.  This is a very busy time for Black River Good Neighbor Services, as this non-profit local organization prepares to deliver gifts and a full holiday dinner complete with turkeys and all the fixings to those in need.  It is estimated that over 160 families from the immediate and surrounding towns will be helped this holiday season. 

To help make this possible there is a planned “Stuff A Bus” on Saturday December 1st.  This important food drive will take place at the Shaw’s shopping center parking lot in Ludlow from 9am until 3pm. 

The following items are the foods most needed:

Canned Fruit        Canned Cranberry Sauce                    Pickles – Olives

Mac & Cheese        Hot Chocolate                                     Cookies

Tea                           Cereal (Oatmeal)                                Candy

Carrots/Peas           Gravy                                                  Stuffing

Margarine                 Corn                                                    Green Beans

Yams                          Coffee                                                 Frozen Turkeys 

If you are not a shopper, donations of money are always needed and greatly appreciated.. 

There are many ways to get involved with this year’s efforts.  Volunteers are needed to sort food as it comes in and countless other tasks are required to make sure that everyone who needs help this winter gets it.  Please call Audrey at the Thrift Store, 228-3663 or visit 37B Main Street to ask how you can get involved. 

The staff at Black River Good Neighbors thanks you for your continued generous support. Every contribution makes a difference.

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