The Renita Marshall Helping Hands Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Barre, Vermont dedicated to providing financial assistance to families with children facing temporary and unexpected financial hardships. The Renita Marshall Helping Hands Foundation mission is to provide financial assistance to families with children who are experiencing a temporary or unexpected financial hardship. In
2008(ish), while scrolling through Facebook, Renita Marshall (Founder & President) noted a neighbor had posted a note to her four daughters explaining how they didn’t need a tree or gifts to make Christmas, it was their love that made a holiday. Renita contacted friends and local business owners to provide a tree, gifts, food and gift cards to this local family. Such immense joy and appreciation came from not only the recipient but those who gave that the tradition has continued and grown each year since. To date, countless children have been provided a complete and full Christmas including a tree if necessary, gifts from their wish list, necessities such as winter items, beds, and shoes and even wrapping paper, tape and a few gifts for the parents who have sacrificed for their children. We have been able to provide back to school items, swim passes, swim lessons, summer camp fees, groceries and develop a scholarship in the name of Aiden James Shannon. Criteria was established: a family needed to have children in the home and needed to be experiencing a temporary and unexpected financial hardship. Nominations have poured in through the years and at times, we have been able to support more than one family. Until now....
In November of 2020, Renita reached out to a local accountant and friend to inquire about the process of incorporating as a non-profit organization. This friend filed all of the paperwork and paid the fees (our first donations) to jumpstart the business. MEET OUR BOARD
Renita Marshall - Founder & President - Renita is a Barre, Vermont native and the daughter of a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide all she could for her children. She has been involved in the coordination and planning of several local charity events in the area and is respected within the community for her work. Renita lives in Barre with her husband, Chris and has two adult sons who also live in Barre. Chris Marshall - Vice-President - Chris moved to Vermont in 2006 and met Renita. Through the years, Chris has been a silent partner in all of the community involvement and charity work and decided it was time to play an active role. Chris lives in Barre with his wife, Renita and has two adult sons, who also live in Barre. Kim Goodsell - Secretary - Kim relocated her family from Alabama to Vermont and knew she wanted to continue her volunteer services. After meeting Renita in an online “Vermonter” forum, they became fast friends and Kim could not wait to join this Foundation. Kim lives in Danville with her husband and two children. Zack Dion - Treasurer - Zack is the son of Chris & Renita Marshall and while participating behind the scenes for many years as his mom organized, he hadn't taken a proactive role....until now. Zack appreciates the importance of giving to his community and especially to children whose families are experiencing financial hardship. He is very excited about taking a more active approach. Zack lives in Barre with his fiancée and pup, Truly. Thank you for sharing this adventure with us. Member of The Barre Partnership & The Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
