In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped daily life, VTDigger wrote about Eric Axelrod, a Jericho resident who spent his days splitting wood with his young sons, Devin and Logan, and delivering it to neighbors in need.That year, the Axelrod family provided nearly 25 cords of firewood to more than 15 families. But what began as a small backyard project has evolved into an inspiring support system for Vermonters.Eric’s kids Ivy, Devin and Logan helping out at the woodlot. Courtesy photo.Today, Axelrod is the founder of Wood4Good, a growing nonprofit that provides free firewood to households in need across central and northern Vermont. With distribution sites in Jericho, St. Albans and Middlesex, the organization delivers wood within a 50-mile radius of Jericho. Axelrod hopes to one day expand Wood4Good’s reach to serve the entire state.“Vermonters are really proud, and especially when they get older,” Axelrod explains. “They don’t want to ask for help, and even if they need it, they won’t. I’ve met folks who have burned their furniture to keep their home warm.”Delivering Warmth With DignityFor Axelrod, ensuring that help is offered with dignity is just as important as the deliveries themselves.In one instance, Axelrod encountered a man who was too proud to accept help, despite his wife’s quiet confession that the family desperately needed firewood to get through the winter. Axelrod devised a plan: He made the delivery when the husband wasn’t home. Later, the man called to apologize and thank him.“I told him no apology was necessary, and we were just glad to help,” Axelrod recalls.Another time, Wood4Good delivered wood to a family that included a woman battling cancer. Her husband had left work to care for her. As the delivery truck arrived, the husband stood in tears, overwhelmed by the support they had received.It Takes a VillageOver 40% of Vermont households heat their homes with wood. One cord of firewood provides roughly four weeks of heat for the average home. Since its founding, Wood4Good has delivered firewood to more than 500 families, including 150 in 2023 alone.A volunteer day in Jericho. Courtesy photo.Volunteer support is key to Wood4Good’s success. On weekend volunteer days, anywhere from five to 30 people gather at the woodlots to buck, split, load and deliver wood. The camaraderie of these events creates a ripple effect, spreading the benefits of community care far beyond the families receiving the wood.“When we began, I wanted to teach my boys the value of higher purpose, giving back and being a good member of the community,” Axelrod reflects. “But it has taught me so much about the importance of community, enrolling good people in a cause that is important, and the effect all of this has had on our family and the people we have touched.”How You Can HelpFor the next 10 days, VTDigger is partnering with Wood4Good to share the warmth with Vermonters in need. For every 80 readers who donate to support VTDigger’s nonprofit journalism, Wood4Good can deliver one cord of wood — the equivalent of four weeks of heat — to a Vermont family.Together, our goal is to provide at least 15 cords of wood by December 25. Support two worthy causes with your donation today. Donate nowIf you’d like to get even more involved, Wood4Good is always looking for volunteers. While the physical labor of chopping and stacking wood is needed, there are many other ways to help, including outreach and grant-writing. Sign up to volunteer with Wood4Good here. If you need wood or would like to donate directly to Wood4Good, you can learn more on its website.Read the story on VTDigger here: Wood4Good spreads warmth across Vermont, one cord at a time.