Support Richard Beck's Flood Recovery

Like many NEK residents, St. Johnsbury resident Richard Beck was terribly impacted by the catastrophic flooding of July 2024.

Rich is a veteran and retiree who taught journalism at St Johnsbury Academy and worked at the Caledonian Record for many years. His house is on a low point on Cliff Street directly below Underclyffe and Overclyffe Streets in St. Johnsbury. He was catastrophically impacted by the July 2024 flooding, with his basement being entirely flooded, his oil tank damaged and his home currently uninhabitable. Rich is still without power and still has a huge pile of oil-soaked debris taking up the entirety of his front lawn. He does not drive and has no cell phone.

Rich loves the community of St. Johnsbury and quietly does much to help his neighbors and other community members in need. He is the unofficial snowblower for many of his neighbors up and down Cliff Street every winter. He is completely unaccustomed to asking for help and is still in a bit of shock that this time he is the one who must ask for help instead of offering it.

Rich is my former colleague and my husband’s and my former neighbor, but much more than that, he is my dear, dear friend. He helped me at a time in my life when I was very much in need of help. He has become like a grandfather to my children. My heart hurts to see him suffering so much at this moment.

There are so many folks in St. Johnsbury and in the Northeast Kingdom who need help at this moment. We would be so deeply, deeply grateful if you are in a position to help and would consider adding Rich to your list of folks to help at this time.

With deep gratitude,