NEWPORT— Free tethered hot air balloon rides at Newport’s Fourth of July celebration resulted in a $2,500 donation to the city’s NEKCA Food Shelf, thanks to a sponsorship arrangement between a balloon pilot and Community National Bank.
Pilots Joe Doerer and Hélène Viens inflated Doerer’s balloon, Dream Chaser, on Saturday, July 4, to offer free tethered rides to visitors at Gardner Memorial Park.
The attraction, planned by Newport Parks and Recreation Director Michael Brown and Doerer, was intended to enhance the celebration of the Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday. More than 100 passengers took a tethered ride.
Hoping to deliver a bigger benefit for the community beyond the rides themselves, Doerer approached Community National Bank about sponsoring the free rides, not by paying the pilots for their efforts, but by donating money to Newport’s NEKCA Food Shelf.
The bank agreed and committed to donating $2,500 to the food shelf.
“Food insecurity is one of the most critical issues facing society today, and it’s extremely important to ensure our community members have resources where they can obtain healthy and nutritious food for themselves and their families,” Doerer said.
The Newport NEKCA Food Shelf, located at 70 Main St., is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. It offers nutritious options including meat, dairy products, fresh produce, bread and baked goods, and canned and dry goods.
The food shelf has established partnerships with many local stores and other businesses to accept grocery items on a regular basis. It also stocks and receives donations of personal hygiene products such as shampoo and deodorant, as well as cleaning supplies.
Donations of non-perishable food items, hygiene products and cleaning supplies are always needed, organizers said. Donations can be delivered to NEKCA during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Donors are asked not to leave items outside the doors during non-business hours. More information about ways to donate is available at https://nekcavt.org/donate/.
