Front Porch Forum

We're proud to be of service to nonprofits across the region and encourage organizations to use their increased monthly postings (4!) to engage others in their work. Lots of organizations find FPF an effective place to announce events, recruit volunteers, post jobs, fundraise, and -- most importantly -- to reach those who they serve! #vermont #nonprofit #marketing https://lnkd.in/eh2-jDBr

Reminder! First-time advertisers get to enjoy steep discounts in April. Reach out here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eSTDzXYy Tell your friends! Lake Champlain Chamber Vermont Chamber of Commerce Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce Addison County Chamber of Commerce Lamoille Economic Development Corporation

This is our home community and we see every day how local businesses are hurting. Glad we can help out in this small way. #shoplocal #vermont https://lnkd.in/eaJ4dj2G

Among Vermont's 270,000 existing households, FPF has 240,000 active member accounts. Members are busy planning home projects, family celebrations, farm visits, career changes, and more. If you've never advertised on FPF, now may be a good time to consider it. April brings some steep discounts to first-time advertisers. Reach out here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eSTDzXYy

Thank you WCAX-TV, for featuring FPF as a catalyst for civic health in Vermont. We are encouraged when residents turn to their Forum to engage with neighbors, hear from public officials, learn about volunteer opportunities, or find community gatherings that match their interests. Sarah Copeland Hanzas has her finger on the pulse of what's working and what's possible! Check out the report here: https://lnkd.in/e-cFe_4t https://lnkd.in/ekef6q_P

Vermont's libraries are the backbone of Front Porch Forum across the state. We feel honored that librarians use this service to help their community learn about the vibrant weekly activities, for residents of all ages and interests. Please consider reading & taking action.

We love hearing about businesses that get their start and build traction through neighbor recommendations on Front Porch Forum. Here's a great story recently shared by Markoski's Move and Haul (https://lnkd.in/eBwB9dTQ): "In the last year and a half, I have had the honor of helping many of my fellow community members move. When I first started out, I was a guy with a pickup truck who would haul unwanted junk to the dump. It was a side hustle in a time of need for me, and nothing more. As the months went on, I was surprised to get so many inquiries from folks who needed a service like mine. I trusted my gut and kept allowing the world to take me where it wanted to. It wasn't glamorous work but there was something satisfying about it, and I encountered friendly faces everywhere I went. Before I knew it people were contacting me for small moving jobs like emptying a storage unit or bringing a couch across town. Grateful FPF members like yourselves would post on here and spread the word about their positive experience. This must have allowed for others to feel confident reaching out to us to actually move their living spaces, because to my disbelief we actually started to get requests to move people with apartments or houses as time went on. I will admit at the beginning this felt a bit unreal, but I rolled with it. Spring of 2024 hit, and my email and phone were going crazy with the warmer weather. I had enough business at that point to where I realized I had stumbled upon something special. I gathered a team of trusted guys, got my ducks in a row with licensing, insurance, and professional equipment, and took on the summer moving season with gusto. Peak season consisted of long days, a sore body, and lots of good memories with my crew and our customers. Markoski's was born. As I reflect back on last year's small beginnings, I am grateful and humbled. I appreciate the ability to go out and serve my community in a way I enjoy. My work has meaning and value. It helps me find purpose and feel connected. Getting the job done right allows our people to sit back and relax with peace of mind, during an event that might otherwise be very exhausting and stressful for them. To me, this is the magic of running a moving company. We make a move enjoyable."

Vermont's own Front Porch Forum was recently featured in France's leading newspaper, Le Monde! The reporter interviewed many locals to craft this excellent story about neighbors helping neighbors. (Paywall? Read it here on our website...https://lnkd.in/ett9jDF9) https://lnkd.in/eMSkaKiC

Knowing how in-real-life connection affects our mental health, social capital, and community resilience, these charts from The New York Times are alarming. We are working hard at Front Porch Forum to be a tool for Vermonters to connect with neighbors and build community. One key tool is our Community Calendar - local to you, but also with a regional view. Businesses and nonprofits can keep their statewide Directory Listings up-to-date, with seasonal announcements and recommendations from neighbors. How are YOU connecting these days?

We love to read about a successful business getting its start on Front Porch Forum. Of course it's not too surprising that the talented artist, Kat Clear, would grow nature's most gorgeous organic sculptures through her business, Blue House Mushroom. https://lnkd.in/eJ7i73Uj https://lnkd.in/euBz2nfv