Lawson’s Finest Announces 2025 Sunshine Fund Recipients

From Lawson’s Finest:

It’s that time of the year when we get to announce our 2025 Sunshine Fund recipients! In lieu of gratuity in our Taproom, we invite guests to donate to the Sunshine Fund to benefit local nonprofits. Below is the full list.

Learn more about our Sunshine Fund

January

1st-15th Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity

Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity builds much needed houses for underserved Vermonters. Habitat for Humanity partner builders help build their homes that they eventually own to further our aim of not just providing housing-but true homeownership to those in need. These funds will be deployed to cover the construction of a new duplex residence at 41 Central St. in Randolph, VT for 2 underserved families in need of housing.

16th-31st Waterbury Area Trail Alliance

Help fund the creation of WATA’s new mountain bike trail network and public recreation resource on a 600 acre parcel in Moretown, including the Northeast’s first free, publicly accessible progression zone to help riders of all abilities grow their skills, and multi-use trails for human powered nature lovers of all kinds.

February

1st-15th Central Vermont Council on Aging

Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA) is the primary agency serving older Vermonters age 60 and over as well as their families and caregivers in Central Vermont. CVCOA assists older adults to remain independent for as long as possible. All services are made available to our clients at no charge, without regard to health, income, or other resources.

16th-28th LIFT: The Cyrus Zschau Memorial Fund

LIFT began in memory of Harwood Union HS student, Cyrus Zschau. It was started by his family with funds that were donated by our community. LIFT provides scholarship opportunities for Harwood Union High School students to experience other countries and their cultures.

March

1st-15th High Fives Non-Profit Foundation

High Fives provides resources, support, and hope to individuals who have sustained life-changing injuries. The empowerment fund directly supports individuals who have sustained life-changing injuries by providing funding for adaptive sports equipment, recovery treatment, medical equipment, sports programs or instruction, living expenses, and emergency care/injury expenses.

16th-31st Waterbury Common Market

Waterbury Common Market’s purpose is to assist lower-income citizens of Waterbury area who are dealing with transitions or other difficult situations; we help them with financial help or food. Many of our regular clients identify as BIPOC, homeless, new American, low income, veterans, women, senior citizens, and in recovery.

April

1st-15th Vermont Institute of Natural Science

VINS has been a leader in environmental education and wildlife conservation and care since 1972 and is known nationally for innovative natural science curricula and education programs for learners of all ages. American Kestrels are declining across their range and are listed as a species of special concern in Vermont. Our project combines field research with community action to help protect this vulnerable species.

16th-30th Millstone Trails Association

Millstone Trails Association is a volunteer-based nonprofit that maintains the Millstone Trails in Barre, Vermont, which are open to the public for mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and other recreation. Tap room donations will support our creation of a 500’ long mountain bike pump track that will help riders build skills and have fun while doing it.

May

1st-15th PAWSitive Pantry

PAWSitive Pantry supports pets and their people who have fallen on hard times. We work with partners across the state of Vermont, including the Vermont Foodbank to provide access to free pet food, keeping bowls full and pets together with their families.

16th-31st CVMC & VYCC Health Care Share Program

The CVMC Health Care Share program provides fresh, local, organic food grown on the VYCC farm to folks who are experiencing food insecurity, one or more diet related illness, chronic disease, or facing other distinct health risks. This “farm-to-patient” program is made possible entirely with volunteer and philanthropic support.

June

1st-15th Education Justice Coalition of Vermont

This is an overnight camp led by BIPOC adults to create a safe space for youth of color in Vermont. The mission of BIPOC Overnight Camp is to bring youth of color into nature and provide opportunities for connection, healing and joy.

16th-30th Vermont Huts Association

The Vermont Huts Association FOREST Program provides free retreats and outdoor curriculum for underserved students and marginalized communities, inviting folks into the backcountry who historically might not have felt safe or welcomed. The program aims to create new stewards of the outdoors and encourage life long participation in outdoor recreation.

July

16th-31st Hardwick Area Food Pantry

The Hardwick Area Food Pantry provides underserved rural communities in the Northeast Kingdom – now suffering from flooding and economic challenges – with regular access to fresh often locally produced food. Thanks to HAFP the state’s agricultural bounty is available to help heal these battered communities.

1st-15th Lake Champlain Land Trust

The mission of the Lake Champlain Land Trust is to save the scenic beauty, natural communities, and recreational amenities of Lake Champlain and its Watershed by permanently preserving significant islands, shoreline areas, and natural communities in the Champlain Region.

August

1st-15th SUSU commUNITY Farm

SUSU commUNITY Farm is an Afro-Indigenous-led organization dedicated to advancing food sovereignty, land stewardship, climate resilience, and cultural healing within BIPOC communities. We create a sanctuary for learning and healing through programs that provide culturally relevant food, promote sustainable farming practices, and support deep cultural and emotional well-being.

16th-31st The Mitzvah Fund

The Mitzvah Fund provides veterinary care to low income seniors, veterans and unhoused neighbors. They provide surgery and dentistry procedures that are otherwise unattainable to these populations and their pets.

September

1st-15th Cancer Patient Support Foundation

The Cancer Patient Support Foundation provides financial assistance to cancer patients throughout Vermont. They help patients pay for their basic needs such as housing, food, home heating, transportation and medical expenses not covered by insurance.

16th-30th HOPE Works

HOPE Works provides crisis counseling and advocacy for those whose lives have been affected by sexual violence and has a 24-hour hotline for survivors. HOPE Works also provides education outreach in the community that strives to change attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate and condone the cycle of violence. Support for HOPE Works mission is actively sought through fundraising, grants, individual donations, and the dedicated efforts of volunteers.

October

1st-15th Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT)

NOFA-VT is working to support organic, small, and diversified farms in an increasingly volatile climate to ensure that they can continue to tend and protect land and feed our communities. These farmers are key leaders in the movement to ensure Vermont is home to thriving farms and agriculturally-rooted communities that support the long-term wellbeing of the earth and all its people.

16th-31st YWCA VT Camp Hochelaga

The YWCA Vermont is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. Their main program is an inclusive girls+ summer camp, Camp Hochelaga in South Hero.

November

1st-15th HOPE: Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects

HOPE is a locally funded and operated poverty-relief program offering a wide, flexible array of assistance to low-income households based on their individual needs, ranging from financial help with housing, heat, medical and dental needs, work-related expenses, and many other urgent needs that are not met elsewhere. Rather than saying “this is what we do,” we ask “how can we help?”

16th-30th Kidsafe Collaborative

KidSafe facilitates statewide child protection and family support teams to connect families and kids in crisis with coordinated services and support to address abuse and neglect. KidSafe partners with both government and community agencies to ensure that kids experiencing or at risk of abuse and neglect can access housing, nutrition, mental and physical health, and any other support services they may need.

December

1st-15th ARC Rutland Area

ARC Rutland Area advocates for and provides programs that support personal growth, life and social skills development, relationship building, and community inclusion for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By learning, experiencing, and sharing, at ARC, its members not only participate in their communities, they become valued contributors, leaders, and teachers.

16th-31st Spectrum Youth & Family Services

Each year Spectrum Youth & Family Services helps nearly 1500 teens and young adults in Northwest Vermont with housing, food, mental health, employment and other support. Spectrum’s Basic Needs programs provide youth-friendly shelters, temporary housing, and Drop-In Centers to help youth who are homeless or at-risk stabilize their circumstances.