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Together We Make Vernon Special

The holiday season is traditionally a time of giving to the charities and organizations we each support. As important as they are, most of our holiday giving doesn't benefit the activities we enjoy locally. This year please consider supporting the local community of nonprofit volunteer organizations that make Vernon special for you.

For the past two years I have been honored to work with the Vernon Volunteers' Collaborative (VVC), a group of 13 Vernon nonprofit organizations helping to make our town a special place to live and work through:

  • Preservation or beautification of Vernon's open space, parks and environment.
  • Preserving and sharing Vernon's history and historic properties.
  • Encouraging appreciation of and participation in the arts.

Vernon is blessed to have dedicated and passionate volunteers who donate their time to such organizations as Arts Center East, Friends of Valley Falls, Friends of the Vernon Arts Commission, New England Civil War Museum, Northern Connecticut Land Trust, Strong Family Farm, The Vernon Chorale, Vernon Garden Club, Vernon Greenways Volunteers and Vernon Historical Society.

But their time alone is not enough. You may not know that the Town of Vernon provides very little monetary support to these organizations. Most of their funds are raised through membership, donations, grants and fund raisers.

On VVC's website you'll find a description of each organization. Which of these are important to you and your family? Choose one or more that resonates with your interests and either become a member or make a donation. Membership numbers are important when applying for grants and to maintain nonprofit status.

On the website you'll find a ‘Join' tab for membership organizations. That should also take you to a page that will tell you how to donate. For non membership organizations that accept donations visit their website. Most donations are also tax deductible.

The thirteen organizations of the Vernon Volunteers' Collaborative are only one set of the many dedicated organizations in town. You may prefer to give to others, but please do consider giving locally.

» Go to the Vernon Volunteers Collaborative website.

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