WESTMINSTER — Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) will celebrate its 47th Anniversary on Monday, April 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the American Legion Post 67 in Chester.
This annual event celebrates the extraordinary efforts of SEVCA's staff, volunteers, community activists, and partner agencies, and the individuals and families they serve in Windham and Windsor counties.
It also kicks off National Community Action Month, which was established to focus attention on the complex problems low-income households face and how Community Action Agencies across the country help low-income people change their lives for the better.
A number of awards recognizing this year's accomplishments by various individuals and organizations will be presented at the annual celebration.
They include the “Going Beyond the Call of Duty” award to staff who have gone the extra mile to achieve excellence in serving SEVCA's clients. This year's winner is Pat Burke, Family Services Program Director, who now also oversees our Disaster Recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Irene.
The “Community Catalyst” award, which goes to those who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to alleviating the causes and hardships of poverty and improving the quality of life in our communities, will be presented to Sustainable Woodstock for its Irene relief and recovery efforts, and Dave Weaver of Save Our Homes, a program of Brattleboro Area Affordable Housing.
The “Personal Achievement” award, which goes to clients who have improved their quality of life and made notable strides toward self-sufficiency, will be presented to Head Start parent and now Teacher Assistant Danielle Farnsworth, and Economic Development client and new entrepreneur Julie Plummer.
The evening will also feature a keynote speaker. David Coates, Chair of the Vermont Long Term Disaster Recovery Group, will give a presentation highlighting how Tropical Storm Irene affected so many people in Vermont, and the amazing and heartwarming response of Vermonters to help their neighbors make it through this disaster and rebuild their lives.
Dinner will be provided, with a small donation requested but not required. Anyone interested in attending the Annual Celebration or finding out more about it may call 800-464-9951 or email brooks@sevca.org.