Elderly and disabled citizens of Grand Isle County in northwestern Vermont have a strong ally in Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources (CIDER). The organization’s mission is to develop and foster resources that enable the people of Grand Isle County, Vermont to live in their community with dignity. Among their many services, CIDER operates the senior meals program, collects and loans special needs equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs, sponsors an end-of-life education and information program, provides exercise programs for older adults, coordinates volunteers building wheelchair ramps and other home accessibility programs, makes friendly visits and reassurance calls, provides tax and computer assistance, and a wide variety of other individualized services. This active community is a frequent designee of donors to the Gay and Lesbian Fund of Vermont, who appreciate the commitment of CIDER’s staff to spreading joy among their clients.
