Fall 2005 Newsletter   click for links to other newsletter pages
From Our Director:
When People Work Together
 
Steve MasonThe theme of the Fall 2005 newsletter is Families Helping Families. While it is hardly a new concept for stories appearing in this newsletter, it does reflect a desire on our part to highlight the atmosphere of "giving back," a theme we see here at Parent to Parent of Vermont every day.

It is impossible to think about how our families help each other -- and how contagious that action is -- without spending a few minutes on the subject as it relates to the recent hurricane devastation our nation has endured.  While it may be a given section of the country that was most affected by the actual storm surge, high winds, and flooding-- the entire country carries the weight of the damage.  In so many ways people around the country -- even the world -- were all devastated by the events that followed the storm.  Many have been and will continue to be part of the recovery. 
During the days immediately following the destruction of property -- and lives -- Americans and their friends around the world sought ways to help.  Some help came from governments, but on a grand scale it was families helping families. To many people, the gesture of sending clothing and supplies, or taking strangers into their homes, was an act of repayment for the many good deeds done to them in their lives. But the story does not end there. Many  people offered help not to repay a debt, but rather out of compassion and the realization that any one of us might face challenges we could never have anticipated.

As we all processed the events surrounding the hurricanes, one other painful fact began to reveal itself -- regardless of the prevailing conditions, our most vulnerable are always among the first victims.
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Parent to Parent of Vermont, like so many organizations around the world, depends on the generosity of all people to answer the need created by challenges -- some expected and some unforeseen. We are reminded in this tragedy that what matters most is our human capacity to share -- our time, our resources, our lives -- with those most in need at any given time. 

As we see in our feature story, August Button has approached her effort to give back as an opportunity. By providing support, she has found support.  For all of us this may well be the greatest return we receive for our decision to share. Y 


Fall 2005 - In this Issue:
Family Connections: Button Story

Conference Fund: Rasmussen Story
Families Who 'Give Back': Tom Sustic Fund
Where's the Waste Update
Community News: Support Group & Therapeutic Riding
Parent to Parent News: Library & Funding
Family Voices of Vermont
Thanks, Development & Outreach
Our Calendar | News & Note

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