To The Editor:
Dear Mad River Valley residents,
On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the MRV provided Thanksgiving Baskets to 121 local families. We served over 550 people, giving them all the ingredients needed for a Thanksgiving dinner (yes, turkey and pie included ;).
I am so proud to live in a community where neighbors help neighbors.
While it’s impossible to thank everyone who helped, there is a shout out list:
– The volunteer dream team of: Mimi, Willa (who conscripted Jeff), Ginger, and Mel.
– The 40-plus volunteers who sorted, packed, carried, and delivered the 121 boxes of food.
–The United Church of Christ in Waitsfield and Pastor Mark for the generous and patient sharing of space as well as the UCC bottle/can committee for the generous donation.
– The local businesses and organizations that donate so much to keep us going: Waitsfield Telecom, Lawsons, Mehuron’s, Shaw’s, Clearwater Filtration, the Reynolds family, Mad River Community Fund, and GMVS.
– The amazing Rick for 120-plus loaves of fresh homemade bread.
– Julie’s scout troop for homemade cards that brightened baskets.
– Large and small food and cash donations from all kinds of folks.
– GMVS and Harwood students for the food drives - go teens.
– Promotional support from The Valley Reporter, and the MRV Chamber of Commerce, Front Porch Forum, Mad River TV, WMRW 94.5.
–The Mad River Interfaith Council and all the religious organizations in The Valley who pull together to make this happen.
It clearly takes a caring village to make this happen. Thanks for being such a great community.
-- Judy Beningson
