RUTLAND – On Sunday, Sept. 7, Vermonters for Vermonters will be hosting a benefit concert at the Vermont State Fairgrounds Grandstand from 2-8 p.m. There will be live music by Joey Leone, Bow Thayer, Jeremy Graham, Ashley Buchart, Myk Sno, Tony Lee Thomas, as well as many speakers including Governor Peter Shumlin and those affected by Vermont’s opiate addiction epidemic.
Vermonters for Vermonters is a volunteer effort of citizens committed to raising funds and awareness to help combat the negative effect drugs have had in Vermont. The group started this organization in response to the growing epidemic of drug abuse in Vermont, which is affecting citizens across the state in increasing and alarming numbers. The Vermonters for Vermonters volunteers have decided it is time to take action against this epidemic, and have organized this benefit concert to help raise awareness and get other Vermonters involved in the cause.
Proceeds from the event will benefit three organizations that are directly involved in combating this epidemic and providing assistance to Vermonters and their families suffering from drug abuse and addiction: Project Vision, VT Recovery Network, and Dismas House.
Project VISION is a diverse coalition of over 100 social and health service agencies and organizations, schools, colleges, businesses, City of Rutland, local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies, faith-based groups, volunteers and neighbors working toward the revitalization of Rutland. The group is united to address the drug related challenges facing our community with the goal of making Rutland one of the healthiest, safest and happiest communities in America. We believe that our quintessentially “Vermont” response, blending strategies that have proven effective in other areas with creative local solutions will be successful.
The VT Recovery Network is a non-profit statewide organization that supports the provision of recovery support services for people who have experienced problems resulting from drug and alcohol abuse.
The Dismas House is an organization whose mission is to “reconcile prisoners to society and society to prisoners,” and provides shelter and re-integration resources to men and women being released from prison. Their objective is to provide these people with the second-chance resources necessary to be successful citizens upon release, and thus combat substance abuse, further crime, and overpopulation of prisons.
Joey Leone, one of the featured performers at the benefit concert and Vermonters for Vermonters founding member and volunteer, is confident in the power of his local community to make a positive impact in this growing crisis.
“In the past few years Vermonters have shown that, when confronted with problems, whether natural or man-made, we will rally to surmount them,” Leone said.
Vermonters for Vermonters is funded solely through donation, and is being run by the generous help of volunteers. Tickets can be purchased for $15 (includes entrance to the fair) on the day of the event or at www. vermontersforvermonters.com.
Monetary donations can be made payable to “Vermonters for Vermonters” and sent to: Vermonters for Vermonters C/O Steve De Clue 31 North Main St. PMB #104 Rutland, VT, 05701
Items will also be accepted for donation for an auction that will take place online before and after the event, and those interested in donating items for auction can contact Jessie Boudreault at jessica_boudreault@yahoo.com.
Proceeds from tickets and items sold, as well as donations will go directly to the three beneficiary organizations: Project Vision, Dismas Of Vermont, Inc., and Vermont Recovery Network.
