SUBJECT: Governor Applauds Springfield’s Wood Warms Program

Says community effort is an ‘inspiring tour de force’

Springfield, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas today joined the organizers of Springfield’s Wood Warms Day to help stack wood and thank the volunteers, students and inmates from Windsor prison’s first inmate work crew who cut and split more than 100 cords of wood to help their neighbors through the next heating season.

“The Wood Warms program is built on the long-held tradition of Vermonters helping Vermonters,” the Governor said. “You deserve a hearty ‘thank you’ for this inspiring tour de force that will lend a hand to lower-income families this winter.”

Wood Warms is part of the Governor’s Fuel and Food Partnership, a collaboration of state agencies, nonprofit organizations and volunteers, who have joined together to help Vermonters in need with increasing housing, home heating, gasoline and food costs.

“These are difficult times for working families, but Vermont has faced these kinds of challenges before, and is a national example of how deep community roots and a strong commitment can resolve even the most difficult challenges,” the Governor said.

In Springfield, the Agency of Human Services Field Director Lynn Boyle tapped the Springfield Restorative Justice Center to coordinate the project.

Processing 105 cords of wood was a tall order, said Wendi Germain, executive director.

Germain turned to the Howard Dean Technical Center’s forestry program students, who built their own processor to cut up the tree-length logs. And inmates from the new Windsor work stepped up to the plate to cut the tree-length logs to size with a chainsaw and process it into firewood the old-fashioned way, with axes and splitting mauls.

“I am so proud of this community for its ongoing ability to pull together and get stuff done. Processing wood is hard back-breaking work, so I thank you all for making this happen!” said Germaine.

The seasoned firewood will be available for delivery at the Springfield Airport in the fall. Germain said she also needs volunteers with pickup trucks to help deliver firewood to those who cannot pick it up themselves. Call 802-885-8707 to volunteer or with questions.

Interested Vermonters should call Southeastern Vermont Community Action at 1-800-464-9951 to learn more about eligibility requirements and participation details.

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