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In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene, no one can doubt the strength of the bonds that hold Vermont — and Vermonters — together. That bond is called community.

The people you read about, hear and see picking through the pieces of their lives are no strangers. Nobody in Vermont has to go far before they find someone they know — family, friend or neighbor — who suffered a loss in the flood.

Never has Vermont felt more like a small town, a place where people care about each other. The hundreds of people who pulled on waders and work gloves to begin the cleanup almost as soon as the rains stopped spoke to the spirit of Vermonters helping their neighbors.

The firefighters, police and other first responders who turned out for the rescue and relief work were also community members who might have suffered losses of their own.

Help came even from those who were unable to reach the disaster sites to plant their boots in the muck.

The evidence of Vermonters’ eagerness to help other Vermonters is everywhere, but especially prominent on social medial sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Along with the news feeds and latest updates about road closures, there are numerous posts passing along calls for help — from the basics to a truck to haul away debris — and information about where help is available.

People are responding. Community donations of food, water and other essentials are coming in. Numerous grass-roots fundraisers — many involving local crafters, artists and musicians — are planned or underway.

Sarah Waterman of Burlington, who created the online clearinghouse of Irene-related information, vtresponse.com, summed it up: “The bottom line is there are people who need help, and we have a really

Article source: http://feeds.stateline.org/~r/StatelineorgRss-Transportation/~3/fzkP6T_wiFc/Voice-Free-Press-Irene-shows-once-again-Vermont-s-strong-community