In an unprecedented move on September 8th, the Ottauquechee Health Foundation Board decided to dip into their endowment for emergency funds to address health-related needs stemming from Hurricane Irene. These funds will be over and above those already set aside to support the 2011 Good Neighbor and Organizational Grant programs. The Foundation will provide up to $45,000 of relief support throughout its catchment area: the towns of Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, Woodstock, and the village of Quechee.

The Foundation’s relief funding will be distributed in two ways.  Existing or newly formed community relief groups may receive grants to disperse for health-related needs based on their community processes. For health-related needs that cannot be addressed by community efforts, the Foundation is committed to quickly processing Good Neighbor Grants in order to support the health of individuals and families in our communities.

Good Neighbor Grants are made available on behalf of individuals in our community who are unable to afford their personal health care needs.  Applications are submitted jointly by the individual and the provider who has provided or will provide the care.  Grants range in size from $150 to over $5,000, covering medical supplies, mental health care, dental or doctor bills, pharmacy, eye glasses, or physical therapy.

The Foundation’s core programming will continue to function throughout the fall alongside these special relief efforts. Regular fall Organizational Grant proposals will be accepted through September 30th and Good Neighbor Grant applications that are not hurricane relief-related will be accepted from individuals and their health care providers on an ongoing basis. Hurricane-related relief applications – either Organizational or Good Neighbor – will be accepted through at least December 1st.

Applications can be found at http://www.ohfvt.org or by calling the Foundation office at 457-4188.