WESTMINSTER, Vt. – On Thursday, Oct. 29, and Friday, Oct. 30, from 2-6 p.m. both days, Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA), 91 Buck Drive in Westminster, Vt., will be accepting tire donations as part of the annual Wheels for Warmth event.
If you’ve attended this event before, the myriad stacks of tires will be no surprise to you. What you might not know is just how many ways in which the annual Wheels for Warmth event offers everyone a chance to make an impact. Attendees can purchase ready-to-roll, DMV-inspected tires at discounted rates. These sales directly fund important statewide programming that keeps neighbors warm through the winter. Additionally, recyclable tires not viable for resale will be donated for agricultural use.
“When we started this program over 20 years ago, I saw an opportunity to keep tires out of our rivers, help Vermonters purchase good used tires for pennies on a dollar, and keep Vermonters warm in the winter. It was a win-win-win,” said Gov. Phil Scott. “With the ever-increasing cost of winter tires, electricity, and heating fuel, this program can make a real difference. But we can’t do it without tires, so if you have tires in good condition, please consider dropping them off, it’s a great way to help your neighbors and our communities.”
The annual event collects tires from around the state to be sold at two area events on Saturday, Oct. 31. Event proceeds directly support emergency heating assistance throughout Vermont provided by Capstone Community Action, BROC Community Action, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA), and Southeastern Vermont Community Action.
“For more than two decades, Wheels for Warmth has demonstrated what’s possible when communities come together around a common purpose,” said Mike Casella, of Casella Waste Systems. “This event not only helps Vermonters access safe, affordable tires, but also transforms a reusable resource into support for families facing heating challenges. We’re proud to be part of a program that combines sustainability, safety, and compassion to create lasting benefits throughout Vermont.”
Since 2005, Wheels for Warmth has raised more than $900,000 for emergency fuel assistance, sold 27,000 safe, donated tires, and recycled 53,000 unsafe tires. The event has also hosted more than 1,100 volunteers from more than 120 companies or organizations, resulting in over 25,000 volunteer hours.
“EastRise Credit Union is honored to support Wheels for Warmth for the eighth consecutive year,” said Sarah Ricker, community relationship manager at EastRise. “Together, we can make a meaningful difference in our communities by providing warmth, comfort, and peace of mind to our neighbors during Vermont’s coldest months.”
If tires cannot be resold, there is a recycling fee of $5 per tire and $10 per truck tire. Tire sales will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., in two locations: Vermont Granite Museum in Barre, and Casella Construction in Pittsford.
To learn more about the event, visit www.wheels4warmth.com, www.facebook.com/wheelsforwarmth, or @WheelsForWarmth on Instagram.
Wheels for Warmth sponsors this year include Casella Waste Systems, Casella Construction Inc., EastRise Credit Union, AT&T, GreenUp Vermont, Vermont Granite Museum, Jet Service Envelope/Accura Printing, Norwich University, G. Stone Motors, Poultney Pools, Bennington Sheriff’s Department, WDEV/Radio Vermont Group, Vermont DMV, ADA Traffic Control, Sunbelt Rentals, and Associated General Contractors of Vermont.