Tunbridge Neighbors Helping Neighbors coordinates and provides needed services to town residents through volunteer actions. This help is intended for all – young and old, rich and poor, healthy and infirm. Everyone needs a helping hand at some point in their lives and TNHN works to make that help more available.
There is no charge for any TNHN service, although the cost of any materials needed will be the responsibility of the person requesting it. We are a non-profit organization supported by donations* and an occasional influx of funds from the town. Our major expenses are maintaining a post office box and a telephone line to receive and forward calls for assistance.
A few of the services offered by TNHN are:
- Pick up of prescriptions or other goods from stores
- Cooking meals for people who are ill or otherwise unable to cook for a short time
- Minor repairs or painting, minor home improvements, changing a lock
- Changing a flat tire or jump-starting a car
- Simple repairs to household appliances
- Help lifting or moving large objects
- Delivery of library books or Food Shelf items
- Referral to services from state, county or federal agencies
- Rides (see below)
- Help with gardening, lawn care or stacking firewood
- Shoveling snow off walkways and steps
- Emergency loan of a trash pump or small generator
- Other reasonable requests
Rides could include transportation to and from nearby medical appointments, church and other local events, car repair/service appointments, shopping trips, etc.
Anyone needing help with something should call 802-889-3437 (advance notice is appreciated). The phone coordinator who answers will take your request and find a volunteer to assist you. The volunteer will then call you back and agree on a time, what needs to be done, etc. We do our best to find a volunteer who is available for that specific request at that specific time and date. However, on occasion that is not possible.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of TNHN. Our current volunteer list contains the names of about 40 people, but we are always on the lookout for more. If you want to join our list of friendly volunteers, please contact any of the board members listed below or call 802-889-3437. TNHN may call on your services from time to time, but no one will be asked to do something week after week. We respect and value your willingness to help your neighbors.
Current Board Members: Michael O’Donnell, President – 802-763-8985; Jory Innes, Vice President – 802-299-9249; Pat Howe, Treasurer – 802-889-5512; Sarah Priestap Porter, Helen O’Donnell, Claire Brock
* Donations may be sent to TNHN, P.O. Box 22, Tunbridge, VT 05077