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[Pages S2804-S2805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING VOLUNTEERS IN MARSHFIELD AND PLAINFIELD
Mr LEAHY. Madam President, the public health and economic crisis that
has gripped the country since March has been a challenge everywhere,
and Vermont is no different; yet it should surprise no one that
Vermonters rise to the moment. As businesses shuttered and Vermonters
adhered to our State's stay-at-home orders, a group of 20 or so
Vermonters stepped up to volunteer to bring groceries, medications, or
other essential items for their neighbors and friends in Marshfield and
Plainfield.
The effect was organized by the enrichment coordinator for
Montpelier's public schools, Drew McNaughton, who stepped up, utilizing
Front Porch Forum, coordinating a group of volunteers to help bring
goods to those staying at home. It is ``a natural thing to do,'' Drew
said, and he could not be more right: It is natural for Vermonters to
step up to help other Vermonters. It has always been the Vermont way.
And it is why together we are Vermont strong.
I ask unanimous consent that an article highlighting this volunteer
effort, which appeared in the Times Argus in March, be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From the Times Argus, Mar. 20, 2020]
Volunteers Offering Deliveries for Those Isolated in Marshfield and
Plainfield
(By Eric Blaisdell)
Marshfield.--More than 20 residents in the area have
volunteered to help get people groceries or medication in
response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
[[Page S2805]]
Drew McNaughton is the enrichment coordinator for
Montpelier's public schools. Schools across the state have
shut down due to the virus that causes COVID-19. So
McNaughton has been working from home.
While at home he's decided to help organize a group of
volunteers in the Marshfield and Plainfield areas who can go
to stores to pick up items for those who may not be able.
``It seemed like the natural thing to do. It seems like a
natural response for a community to take care of the
vulnerable populations,'' he said.
Health officials have said those that are older, have
chronic health conditions or have a compromised immune system
are most at risk from the virus. People are being told to
stay home as much as they can and to stay at least six feet
away from others in effort to keep the virus from spreading.
Some who have tested positive for the virus or are showing
symptoms are being told to stay home and self-isolate for 14
days.
McNaughton has been promoting the effort on Front Porch
Forum and so far 22 people have signed up to volunteer. Those
who volunteered have agreed to share their contact
information with those looking for items to be delivered.
So far he said there's only been one request for delivery:
a resident who needed heart medication. But McNaughton
believes that will change the longer this goes on and the
stricter the isolation requirements during the pandemic.
``There's going to be more people sheltering in place and
it's going to be up to the healthy and the young to step up
for once. The millennials are going to be facing an actual
challenge,'' he said.
. . .
He said one of the hard parts about the pandemic is the
anxiety people are feeling due to the uncertainty of how long
this will go on with no defined end date.
``To me, that's the unnerving part,'' he said.
To help pass the time, he said he's been doing projects
around the house and doing things outside. He said he would
bet plenty of people will have renovation projects completed
by themselves by the time this is all over.
``A lot of amateur carpenters are going to emerge,'' he
said.
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