OUR LATEST
Press Release, For Immediate Release
July 11, 2024
Local Charity ‘Just Neighbors’ Names New President, Officers
Just Neighbors, a local charity that provides financial support to community members in times of need, recently named Londonderry resident and long-time board member Annie Campbell as its new board president.
Over the last two years, Just Neighbors has given out $70,000, including more than $30,000 in flood-recovery funds, to local residents who were unable to cover the costs of basic life necessities. Financial assistance from Just Neighbors has included help for heat and utility bills, home and driveway repairs after the flood, medical costs, transportation, and even costs of camps for children.
“Just Neighbors provides an important service to our community members experiencing hard times, and I’m proud to be part of this organization” said newly-elected board president Annie Campbell. “From help with rent and utilities to purchasing a needed hearing aid, we are always willing to learn about our neighbors’ individual situations and help when we can. We consider any and all requests, which makes us quite unique.”
Just Neighbors is administered by a volunteer board of directors, allowing for 100% of donations to go directly back into the community. Just Neighbors provides services to Vermont residents of Andover, Bondville, Chester, Jamaica, Landgrove, Londonderry, South Londonderry, Peru, Weston, Winhall, and Windham.
Just Neighbors often gets referrals from partners including Neighborhood Connections, the Chester Family Center and other local organizations working to support and empower community members in various ways.
“We are so grateful for these partnerships,” said Nicole Wengerd, Executive Director of Neighborhood Connections. “Our communities are stronger when service providers and support centers are working hand-in-hand to ensure people have access to resources and opportunities.”
Just Neighbors was founded in 2003 by current board member Jon Bliss and now may be best known for their annual voucher program where they give community members in need a $500 voucher toward their utility bills. While Just Neighbors makes every effort to provide necessary assistance, the realities of available resources does not allow them to do so under all circumstances. Just Neighbors’ ability to provide assistance is dependent on the generosity of local community members.
“A huge thanks to all the folks who have given over the years in amounts small and large,” said Campbell. “We do all we can to ensure that your donations go directly to community members who need it.”
The board also recently appointed Kirsten Bokenkamp as vice president, Donna Taranko-Moulton as treasurer, and Peter Areson as secretary. Other board members include Jon Bliss, Laurie Krooss, Tove Stigum, Josh Witkin, and Sunny Wright.
Press Release, For Immediate Release
July 11, 2024
Local Charity ‘Just Neighbors’ Names New President, Officers
Just Neighbors, a local charity that provides financial support to community members in times of need, recently named Londonderry resident and long-time board member Annie Campbell as its new board president.
Over the last two years, Just Neighbors has given out $70,000, including more than $30,000 in flood-recovery funds, to local residents who were unable to cover the costs of basic life necessities. Financial assistance from Just Neighbors has included help for heat and utility bills, home and driveway repairs after the flood, medical costs, transportation, and even costs of camps for children.
“Just Neighbors provides an important service to our community members experiencing hard times, and I’m proud to be part of this organization” said newly-elected board president Annie Campbell. “From help with rent and utilities to purchasing a needed hearing aid, we are always willing to learn about our neighbors’ individual situations and help when we can. We consider any and all requests, which makes us quite unique.”
Just Neighbors is administered by a volunteer board of directors, allowing for 100% of donations to go directly back into the community. Just Neighbors provides services to Vermont residents of Andover, Bondville, Chester, Jamaica, Landgrove, Londonderry, South Londonderry, Peru, Weston, Winhall, and Windham.
Just Neighbors often gets referrals from partners including Neighborhood Connections, the Chester Family Center and other local organizations working to support and empower community members in various ways.
“We are so grateful for these partnerships,” said Nicole Wengerd, Executive Director of Neighborhood Connections. “Our communities are stronger when service providers and support centers are working hand-in-hand to ensure people have access to resources and opportunities.”
Just Neighbors was founded in 2003 by current board member Jon Bliss and now may be best known for their annual voucher program where they give community members in need a $500 voucher toward their utility bills. While Just Neighbors makes every effort to provide necessary assistance, the realities of available resources does not allow them to do so under all circumstances. Just Neighbors’ ability to provide assistance is dependent on the generosity of local community members.
“A huge thanks to all the folks who have given over the years in amounts small and large,” said Campbell. “We do all we can to ensure that your donations go directly to community members who need it.”
The board also recently appointed Kirsten Bokenkamp as vice president, Donna Taranko-Moulton as treasurer, and Peter Areson as secretary. Other board members include Jon Bliss, Laurie Krooss, Tove Stigum, Josh Witkin, and Sunny Wright.
OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER
November 28, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Our hearts are full of gratitude for your generous support of Just Neighbors in these challenging times. Your recent donations have greatly helped our neighbors who have been struggling to recover from the July floods and others who have been met with different hardships.
To summarize, your donations have helped:
Here are a few of the many messages from the folks who received aid -- thanks to you:
“Thank you so much! That was WAY more than I was expecting. Your generosity is so appreciated and will make a huge difference as we move forward and start to replace so many things that were lost.”
“We would like to express our grateful thanks to you for your donation. It will definitely help us in our recovery from this last flood. Unfortunately, it will be a slow climb out.”
“With thanks and appreciation for your most generous contribution for the rebuilding of my store. It will certainly be put to good use.We are progressing slowly and hope to reopen by the mid - last part of October.” (note: thanks to your help, this recipient opened in late October.)
“Your donation helps us so much, financially of course, but also in the grander scheme of things.....our morale. It lifts our spirits greatly.”
“As soon as we are able, we want to give back to your organization.”
While the needs related to the flood continue, requests for help with regard to other kinds of challenges keep coming in. These include, but are not limited to, heating homes, emergency car repairs, high medical bills, and rent.
We are so incredibly grateful to be able to help our neighbors in times of challenge. We honestly cannot do that in significant ways without you.
As we move into the colder months, please consider giving a tax-deductible gift to Just Neighbors -- no amount is too small. We are so proud to help our southern Vermont neighbors in direct and meaningful ways. Thank you for being part of that.
To donate, please send a check to Just Neighbors, PO Box 172, Weston, VT 05161, or give through Venmo, @kir9394.
Many thanks for your generosity. Best wishes and happy holidays.
Sincerely,
Just Neighbors Board
Peter Areson
Jon Bliss
Kirsten Bokenkamp
Annie Campbell
Laurie Krooss
Tove Stigum
Donna Taranko-Moulton
Josh Witkin
Sunny Wright
November 28, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Our hearts are full of gratitude for your generous support of Just Neighbors in these challenging times. Your recent donations have greatly helped our neighbors who have been struggling to recover from the July floods and others who have been met with different hardships.
To summarize, your donations have helped:
- repair destroyed driveways
- fix damaged homes
- replace necessary appliances, such as kitchen ranges
- clean-up and repairs needed by local businesses to get back up and running
- pay bills for rent and utilities
- car repairs
Here are a few of the many messages from the folks who received aid -- thanks to you:
“Thank you so much! That was WAY more than I was expecting. Your generosity is so appreciated and will make a huge difference as we move forward and start to replace so many things that were lost.”
“We would like to express our grateful thanks to you for your donation. It will definitely help us in our recovery from this last flood. Unfortunately, it will be a slow climb out.”
“With thanks and appreciation for your most generous contribution for the rebuilding of my store. It will certainly be put to good use.We are progressing slowly and hope to reopen by the mid - last part of October.” (note: thanks to your help, this recipient opened in late October.)
“Your donation helps us so much, financially of course, but also in the grander scheme of things.....our morale. It lifts our spirits greatly.”
“As soon as we are able, we want to give back to your organization.”
While the needs related to the flood continue, requests for help with regard to other kinds of challenges keep coming in. These include, but are not limited to, heating homes, emergency car repairs, high medical bills, and rent.
We are so incredibly grateful to be able to help our neighbors in times of challenge. We honestly cannot do that in significant ways without you.
As we move into the colder months, please consider giving a tax-deductible gift to Just Neighbors -- no amount is too small. We are so proud to help our southern Vermont neighbors in direct and meaningful ways. Thank you for being part of that.
To donate, please send a check to Just Neighbors, PO Box 172, Weston, VT 05161, or give through Venmo, @kir9394.
Many thanks for your generosity. Best wishes and happy holidays.
Sincerely,
Just Neighbors Board
Peter Areson
Jon Bliss
Kirsten Bokenkamp
Annie Campbell
Laurie Krooss
Tove Stigum
Donna Taranko-Moulton
Josh Witkin
Sunny Wright