Wheels for Warmth Enters 17th Year

(BARRE, VT) – It is no surprise that inflation is still high and will most certainly put extra pressure on Vermonters this coming winter. Wheels for Warmth, originally started in 2005, is here again to reduce the burden of heating and food costs and provide used, safe tires at affordable rates to Vermonters in need.

The annual tire recycle and resale event collects tires from around the state to be either recycled or sold at three area events on Saturday October 29th. Proceeds from the event go to emergency heating assistance throughout Vermont provided by Capstone Community Action, BROC Community Action and Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.

“Wheels for Warmth has been a win-win for many years, helping folks heat their homes and making sure they have safe and reliable tires to get them where they need to go”, said Governor Phil Scott. “Every donated or recycled tire helps another Vermonter with a safer ride or more comfortable home and keeps the state we all love a little cleaner”.

This year there is one distinct change – a new location for Central Vermont.  The Vermont Granite Museum at 7 Jones Brothers Way in Barre will host the event, providing a fresh venue for neighbors helping neighbors.

“We are entering yet another challenging winter season with soaring heating, housing, and food costs, and myriad transportation challenges at the forefront for many Vermonters,” said Sue Minter, executive director of Capstone Community Action. “The positive impact of this event cannot be overstated. We are thrilled to have a new location to offer support to our neighbors. Working in tandem with such dedicated partners and community members is something we look forward to each fall to make a difference in the lives of Vermonters.”

Since 2005, Wheels for Warmth has resold 25,000 tires, recycled 50,000 tires to remove them from the Vermont waste stream, and shared $610,000 in proceeds between the three participating community action agencies to provide heating assistance to vulnerable Vermonters.

“This is a wonderful annual event that VSECU is proud to support,” said Simeon Chapin, community impact officer at VSECU. “The only way Wheels for Warmth happens is because the community comes together to help each other. We’re so grateful to everyone who makes it possible.”

Tires will be collected Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28 from 2 PM – 6 PM at Vermont Granite Museum, Barre; and

Casella Waste Systems, Williston;

Casella Construction, Mendon,

1 PM – 5 PM      Stowe Events Field, Stowe.

The tire sale will take place on Saturday, October 29 from 8 AM – 12 PM in two locations: Vermont Granite Museum in Barre and Casella Construction in Mendon. 

All unsafe tires are recycled at $5 fee per tire, $10 fee per truck tire. To learn more about the event visit wheelsforwarmth.org or find the event on Facebook: facebook.com/wheelsforwarmth and Instagram: @WheelsForWarmth.

Capstone Community Action was founded in 1965 and works to overcome poverty by serving people in crisis and creating economic opportunity for people and communities. Capstone’s programs include emergency food, heat assistance, housing counseling and homelessness intervention, savings and credit coaching, business counseling, workforce development, home weatherization, transportation access, and child and family development programs in Early Head Start/Head Start. We serve nearly 13,000 people through these programs each year. www.capstonevt.org.

About Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO)  As a social services organization with nine distinct yet interconnected programs, CVOEO addresses fundamental issues of economic, social, racial, and environmental justice and works with people to achieve economic independence. Formed in 1965 to carry out the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, CVOEO is a nonprofit organization that relies on support from various sources, including federal, state, and local governments, foundations, corporations, and individuals. With a dedicated and passionate staff of more than 230 employees, CVOEO offers a holistic and client-centered approach to serving individuals, families, and communities and provides vital support to 23,000 Vermonters every year. To learn more about CVOEO, its mission, impact, and programs, visit cvoeo.org.

BROC Community Action’s mission is to provide hope, opportunity and a path forward out of crisis or poverty so our neighbors and communities thrive. We have a two-pronged approach to helping our neighbors in need – we provide assistance to people in crisis and we provide a sustainable path forward. Treating everyone with respect and dignity, we lead by example and advocate for people of low income and those living in poverty. BROC Community Action offers an array of programs and services in both Rutland and Bennington Counties such as our Community Food Shelf, Housing program, Home Weatherization, Crisis Fuel, Micro Business Development, Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Rutland County Community Justice Center; just to name a few. Please check out www.BROC.org for more details.

Capstone has a new Website

We are excited to announce the launch of our new website! We hope you will take time to check out: www.capstonevt.org.

Because you are a valued partner to Capstone Community Action, we would like it to be an active resource for you; a place to learn more, stay engaged, and promote Capstone stories, events, and workshops.

New Website Features:

  • Translation services to offer accessibility to non-English readers
  • Online application for the Participant Intake Form
  • Refreshed information format, ensuring ease of discovery
  • Improved Events and Workshops feature
  • Space to grow our video and audio educational offerings
  • New photos by StoryWorkz
  • New platform created on MODX by Eternity Marketing

 

May is Community Action Month

May 1, 2022 marks the 58th year since the Community Action Network
was established to help American families and communities overcome obstacles to poverty.  Over 1000 agencies across the country are working every day to create opportunities and transform the lives of their neighbors making communities stronger and helping families across the US thrive.

 

This year, the Vermont Community Action Partnership, a proud member of the Community Action Network, will also commemorate 58 years in service helping families throughout Vermont.

“Each May, during Community Action Month, we reflect on the impact VCAP and our network has had on families,” said Jan Demers, VCAP Coordinator. “Last year alone, we served 37,311 people in Vermont, and over 15 million across
the country with immediately needed services such as shelter and food, and also long-term solutions like education and job placement.”

Community Action Agencies serve 99% of all American counties with life-changing services to help families achieve financial stability. All agencies are locally controlled and represented by the private, public, and low-income sectors of the community. “We are proud of our communities’ participation in the development and oversight of our programs,” said Demers.  “Their
engagement helps us to be more effective in our approach by determining what Vermonters needs.”

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VCAP is a member of the National Community Action Partnership and the Community Action Network, which was born out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.