My husband and son and I attended a drive by funeral today for a friend and much loved community member from a much loved family in the Valley. It is hard for us not to be able to hug each other and gather together to share the burden of the grief. As is so often the case in small town Vermont, the love and caring for the family left behind was overwhelming. Firetrucks from every town in the Valley, a snowcat from Mount Snow, a procession of motorcycles and hundreds of friends self isolating in their vehicles with painted signs and windows offering love and condolences driving by his siblings and children’s homes.

Unfortunately, the odds are that we will lose more community members, more family, friends and colleagues from the Valley and from away. Trying to wrap our heads and hearts around that at the same time that all of our routines are completely disrupted is stressful. We are worrying about our families health, our businesses and employees and jobs, our communities and the unknown future.

No matter that this is hard, or how much work, family and home tasks are taking up our time, there is something all Vermonters must understand. We are all in this together and your help is needed at this time. You have skills and abilities that your community and our state need. Now.

With the past decade of an aging and declining population we have seen our firefighters, rescue and emergency services, towns and school governments, parent teacher organizations, Rotary, Lions all suffer from lack of volunteers. That shortage of people is now being exacerbated by illness, lack of childcare, and fear. And the shortage of people is expanding to include healthcare, grocery, farm work, meal delivery and drivers.

Governor Scott has put out a call for all Vermonters to volunteer.

I know our friend Janet Boyd would be at the front of the line with a whole army of Boyds if they were able.

If you are not already involved with a local volunteer effort, please sign up. If you sign up and are not called, great! If you sign up and can not do the specific thing you are asked – perhaps there will be another job you can help with.

This is not a drill. This week, the Windham County Delegation has heard from multiple organizations that need medical volunteers right now. Please, sign up, either here, or with a local organization.

If you are a Deerfield Valley business or volunteer effort that is looking for paid or volunteer assistance, or you are already coordinating volunteers in the Valley – please email me at lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us and give me the specifics to share.

I look forward to talking with any Valley folks, friends or family from near or far who are up for coffee this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 am.

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Bookmark for updates:
Vermont Department of Health 2019 Novel Coronavirus Current Status in Vermont Webpage for updates.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus Disease page
World Health Organization Coronavirus Disease 2019

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Shared from a local mental healthcare provider post

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Updated information for employers and employees on unemployment insurance

An unemployment insurance guide for self employed and independent contractors

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Dover Food Shelf hours

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Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, or if you need assistance navigating government services at (802) 384-0233 or lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us 

Kind regards, 

Rep. Laura Sibilia 
Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro, Whitingham