FERRISBURGH — At the annual meeting of the Rogers and Hazard Relief Society on June 14, the following new officers were elected: Karlene DeVine, president; Art Cohn, vice president; Sally Torrey, secretary; and Shelly Eriksen, treasurer. One director is elected at Town Meeting each year for a two year position. Pennie Beach was elected beginning 2016. Other members are Kim Hornung-Marcy, Anna Husk and Liz Markowski.
Serving the Ferrisburgh community since 1886, this fund was established with a purpose to “…relieve the wants of the sick and poor in Ferrisburgh, Addison County, Vermont by doctoring, nursing and such ministries as said trustees deem proper.” The Society began with funds bequeathed by Joseph Rodgers ($3050) and donated by Rufus Hazard ($360).
For the past 130 years, the Society has quietly gone about its activities of identifying people within the Ferrisburgh community who have needs that fall within the Society’s mission. Over this time, the Society has provided small grants of money to pay for doctor and nurse visits, heating oil, firewood, groceries, a warm coat, eye glasses, emergency house repair, funeral expenses, baby clothes and the like. This assistance is always provided without fanfare and in strict confidentiality of who is receiving the assistance.
“Many a life has been saved, many heavy hearts lightened and many homes gladdened by the kind ministration of the Rogers and Hazard Relief Society.”
Burlington Free Press and Times, July, 1, 1937, on the Society’s first 50 years.