Help Lj and Jack Stewart Rebuild After Vermont Flood

My name is Michelle Schuyler. I came to Vermont on a travel contract for work. I was having a hard time finding housing when I was blessed to stumble across Lj Stewart. Lj is very passionate about healthcare and she said we need nurses here. She offered up her home to myself and my two large dogs. I’ve been living with Lj just shy of a year and I’ve gotten to know her and Jack Stewart quite well. At 69 and 73, they both still work full-time operating the Barnet Tradepost Wellness Center where many wellness services and various classes are available to the greater area.

On July 10, 2024, a storm came through Vermont, causing a sudden surge in the river's water level, leaving a trail of destruction behind. So many lost so much. Lj Stewart and Jack Stewart are extremely humble and grateful their losses are not as great as others. Their damages to the property will go far beyond what insurance will cover and new problems are being discovered every day.

The Backhouse on the property is a two story structure with a workshop space on the second floor, where classes are held. Jack’s residence is on the first level of this building. It was flooded with 2 feet of water leaving 5 to 6 inches of mud behind and is uninhabitable until clean up and repairs are completed.

The main house cellar was flooded, damaging the hot water heaters, and the furnaces that will now need to be replaced. Property was washed away along with a huge section of the driveway and parking lots, leaving pipes and lines exposed. It cannot be driven nor parked on, which is impacting the wellness services and classes, as well as Lj and Jack’s residences. The septic has failed, and the town is working to get water up and running.

Roads in Barnet and neighboring towns are virtually nonexistent in places. It’s going to take a long time and a lot of money to rebuild these communities. The devastation goes far beyond the physical damage, the emotional toll that it takes on these people will be ongoing.

Please help me to help Lj Stewart and Jack Stewart rebuild their lives and property. Anything you can spare will have a great impact. Please share and repost this request. Help me reach as many people as possible. Please keep ALL of the people in these communities in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you.

Michelle Schuyler