Support The Olcott Family & Farm After Destructive Flooding

My name is Penny Bessom, and I'm creating this fundraiser for my parents, Gary & Veronica Olcott. They own Twin Acres Farm on Severance Hill Road in East St Johnsbury, that has been in our family for over 100 years. My parents are my rocks, and have helped Rick, Bri, and I through so much, and I would love to be able to help them out in this difficult time.

As many know, this area has been hard hit with back-to-back flooding events. Our farm was no exception, with two brooks and the Moose River doing extensive damage. Most of our annual sweet corn crop has been decimated, both hay and (cow) corn fields have been deluged with thick mud, rocks, and trees, and the river has washed away huge chunks of our hay fields along Route 2.

To add insult to injury, the culvert above their house failed (again), and my parents found themselves completely surrounded by a lake of water for the second time in the last few weeks. Their newly fixed dooryard was once again washed away, and continues to be, as the brook has currently re-routed itself and is flowing around both their front and back lawns. With this second storm, water has also now flooded into their home, destroying freezers full of meat and ruining just about everything in their basement. The town has stated they will not be repairing the culvert for at least another week, so this situation will only continue, and most likely worsen in that time.

My parents are not the types to ask for help, they always humbly make do, and, like many long-time farmers, just accept whatever is thrown at them. With this fundraiser, I'd like to alleviate a little of their stress, and help supplement some of the lost income from the destroyed sweet corn crop, and also help pay for some of the damage and cleanup of their home.

My parents are the most honest, hard-working people I know, and they are so deserving of a little assistance right now. If you are able to donate, anything is wholeheartedly appreciated, and if you are only able to share this, that is also greatly appreciated, too. Thank you.