Dear Reader,

We all need a little encouragement these days. And there is nothing more inspiring than stories of resilience and hope.

In a new series called The Bright Side, VTDigger reporters are sharing stories about how Vermonters are supporting front-line health care staff and unemployed workers during the Covid-19 crisis. 

Here are just a few examples: Frontline Foods is helping dozens of local Burlington restaurants feed hospital and nursing home workers; a Westford baker is giving away hundreds of loaves of bread for free to those hit hard by the pandemic; and a physician’s assistant has repurposed thousands of robes from cancelled graduation events into protective gowns for hospital workers. 

There are so many heartwarming examples of neighbors and businesses stepping up to bring comfort and aid to Vermonters. In The Bright Side series we are highlighting these acts of hope. 

If you appreciate our in-depth, daily reporting on the coronavirus, please become a member today.

From now through Thursday, we are partnering with Vermont Glove to donate one cloth mask for each person who becomes a VTDigger member at any level. Now, when you support local journalism, you are also sending a mask to a Vermont hospital in need. 

We only have 800 masks left to send health care workers. Can you help us reach our goal of 3,000?

Thank you for your support and the more than 2,200 members who have already sent a mask to area hospitals. 

And many thanks to our friends at Vermont Glove for their quick pivot to producing cloth masks for health workers and unwavering support for our local news ecosystem.

If you know someone who is going the extra mile to help others around them, email us at [email protected] with the subject line, “The Bright Side.”