FLOOD RECOVERY HELP FOR IRVING, LAURI, AND GABE

Hello Friends and Neighbors,

By now you probably know that Vermont and parts of upstate NY were hit with historic and catastrophic flooding. It destroyed the capital city of Montpelier, towns and villages. Our little village of Jeffersonville and adjacent Cambridge took a massive hit, trapping residents and pets and destroying livelihoods in a few short hours.

I am reaching out to you on behalf of Irving Payne and their family, longtime residents here and personal friends. I am happy to say they are all safe as well as their 2 cats.

Irving is a valued longtime community member, part-time videographer for Brown & Jenkins, and assistant rec director. His partner Lauri works in data entry. Their son Gabe is a senior in high school. They had bought their first house not long ago on Main Street in town and worked many long, hard hours to renovate and upgrade. This year they had put in a beautiful, raised bed garden that would provide their family with fresh produce all summer.

In a short 72 hours, their whole life changed. The basement completely flooded up into the first floor and the garden was flooded with toxic water and oil and will have to be destroyed and the soil remediated.

The family is working day and night to stop the mold and prevent further damage, but this will be a long, expensive road. They had no flood insurance, as they were told it was not needed in that location.

It is my hope with prayers that we can give them some help with rebuilding their life. Our goal is to raise enough funds for the immediate cleanup and renovations to the basement which is still intaking water due to damage sustained to the foundation during the flood. Any extra funds will go to cleanup of the first-floor living area damaged during the flood, including kitchen & bathroom areas and replacements for damaged appliances, cabinets, & household living items.

Anything will be greatly appreciated.

Many hands must join as one.

Stay Vermont Strong.