Warming Hearts

New Hampshire winters can be cold and brutal. The Grapevine Family and Community Resource Center maintains a wood bank filled with chopped wood that families in need can use to heat their homes, thanks to the support of giving individuals in the community like Rick Edmunds and his team at Edmunds Ace Hardware.

In rural New Hampshire, natural gas is not always piped to homes for heating like it is in cities. For families in need, finding fuel to stay warm and heat their homes is a matter of survival.

"The wood bank is intended to serve anyone that is in need of an emergency wood source during heating season," said Melissa Gallagher, Executive Director, The Grapevine. "It’s meant to get people though a hard time while we connect them with longer term forms of assistance, such as fuel assistance."

Thanks to volunteer support, The Grapevine keeps the wood bank stocked and available to those who need it. Volunteers provide the wood, as well as the labor to cut it and split it. Rick supports The Grapevine through grants and financial support, in addition to helping out with quick fixes around the facility. His sons Brody and Andrew frequently pitch in to help with the work of maintaining the wood storehouse.

"When you see young people doing positive things, thinking about other people rather than just themselves, it gives you faith in the future of our community," said Rick.

The Edmunds family feels strongly about supporting their community that has helped them so much in the past.

"It feels so good to help somebody, because we can," said Jeanine Edmunds, Edmunds Ace Hardware Treasurer. "I had cancer years ago and this community gave us food, and supported us, and drove our boys around. We got that feeling, and now to be able to give back is great."

Individuals who have used the wood bank at The Grapevine are quick to return the favor when they have the ability.

"Often for the people that call for wood, it’s really a one-time need that they have," said Melissa. "People who receive help from the wood bank often come back and give of their own time. They’ll come back and help us stack and give back and pay it forward."