One of the great things about joining the Green Alliance is the sense of meaning that comes with being part of a growing community of people who care not only about protecting the environment, but are also always willing to help out a neighbor in need.

It was a typical Monday in early January when GA Director Sarah Brown received an email from Diane and Peter McDonald, two GA members living in Dover, NH.

“Hi Sarah! We have some firewood that we'd like to donate to someone in need if they can pick it up. Do you have any leads?” the couple inquired.

Quick as a jiff, Sarah sent out an email to Mary Doyle of the York County Shelter Programs (YCSP). Headquartered in Alfred, Maine, YCSP operates a network of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and food pantries for families and individuals in need.

"We would definitely be interested in a donation of firewood,” Doyle responded. “Two of our Shelter houses use wood so it would be wonderful to receive such a donation."

“Yes, we would love to donate this wood to you!” Diane chimed back in.

Even better, John Bubar, Chief of Housing and Maintenance at the Shelter, lives in Dover and offered to pick up the firewood on his way to work.

“We are always very concerned about conserving fuel at the Shelter, so it was exciting to learn that John would be already driving by where the wood was located,” Doyle said.

“Diane and I loaded the truck with a half cord of hardwood in just a few minutes,” Bubar reported after his visit to the McDonald abode. “Talk about a couple of woodchucks chucking wood!”