It’s a comic book cliché. The superhero that hides his true identity (remember mild-mannered Clark Kent?), but is ever ready to right wrongs and help those at risk. Thankfully, most communities have always had their own quiet heroes working without fanfare to heal problems and seek justice. At Sustainable Tompkins we are witnessing the emergence of a new breed of hero – a type we are going to need many more of as the impacts of climate disruption escalate and economic disparities widen.
In recent months, we’ve had the honor of being approached by two anonymous donors who share both a deep concern about the growing threat of climate change, and compassion for those in our community struggling with high energy bills. Our first donor set up a Sustainable Newfield Fund and provided seed money to cover a series of grants from our Finger Lakes Climate Fund to residents of the Town of Newfield. We made our first award from this gift in October with a $3,457 grant to Second Wind to insulate six cottages they are building for homeless men. (Full story here.) Read the rest of this entry »
