Miner and Blanche Vincent

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Over the past four years, DesignWish has reached out to families who show courage when faced with serious health issues, families who have suffered a devastating loss, or families whose daily lives reflect the true meaning of giving back. Each year, as we review the nominations, we search for someone who possesses strength in the presence of adversity, or someone who possesses a heart of gold. Our 2012 recipient is someone who exhibits both of these amazing characteristics. Miner Vincent is a man who is willing to take a stand and make things happen in his community, no matter how daunting the task may be. In spite of his own health challenges, he puts the needs of others first. Without the enormous efforts of our 2012 recipient, many of Miner’s neighbors would be worried about where their next meal might come from or how they will stay warm in the cold winter months that lie ahead.

Lynn Hidek of Clinton introduced us to Miner through the following nomination letter. As you will see, Miner is someone who devotes his time and energy selflessly to benefit others without asking for anything in return. Giving without the expectation of receiving is precisely why we chose to award Miner with a room makeover. We hope his story will inspire each of us to give back to our own communities or – at the very least – to support Miner in his noble efforts.

Please see below for Lynn’s letter nominating Miner for a DesignWish room makeover:

How does a community express its appreciation to a local hero? In Clinton, “thank yous” resound for the impact that Miner Vincent has had on the lives of people in need.

Establishing the non-profit volunteer organization Families Helping Families six years ago, Miner works tirelessly to collect donations of non-perishable food for our local food pantry. More than 100,000 pounds of food has been given to neighbors in Clinton who struggle. Weekly, he drives to the food bank to supplement the pantry’s offerings with fresh produce and dairy items. He worries that families in town don’t have enough fuel oil to keep both children and the elderly warm throughout the winter. His efforts—often single-handedly—have seen $10,000 raised each year by Families Helping Families for fuel assistance, administered through our town’s social services. To get the message out that times are tough and our friends are hurting, Miner Vincent has spent long, hot, important hours manning a booth at the Bluefish Festival, standing in the cold during Hammonasset Day, and being pelted with rain as he collected donations at local grocery stores. For six years, all year long, Miner Vincent listens to the stories of our neighbors, their lives upended by circumstance, joblessness, illness: he listened, and, more profoundly, responded with all his energy, time and passion.

Now, how does a community respond when times are tough and our local hero is hurting? This summer Miner was hospitalized and his recovery has been a long, bumpy road. He and his wife, Blanche, are self-employed, owning a commercial cleaning service. While we’re asleep at night, Miner is cleaning banks and offices. Yes, the same Miner who spends most of his daylight hours working on behalf of others! Since July, Miner has been unable to work; Blanche has been doing all she can to keep the business, and their income, going. I believe they are self-insured. I can’t begin to imagine their medical insurance costs coupled with the costs of his illness. The good news is that he is rallying, but these months have taken a toll.

I nominate Miner and Blanche Vincent for a Design Wish makeover. They live in a modest home on beautiful property that was part of Blanche’s ancestors’ land for generations. Updating their home hasn’t been on their radar, but when illness struck, they realized that an organized area for paperwork was critical. I want Miner and Blanche to have space in their home that is comfortable, organized and flexible enough to accommodate a big extended family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the holiday dinners they so enjoyed hosting. Of course, I know Miner will say, “Why us?” “Why this?” but when we convince him that Design Wish Makeover simply gives them a great space—a launching pad for goodness, if you will—we’ll know (and he’ll know) that our community has said “thank you” once more.

Watch this space. The DesignWish team will soon have a wish list for Miner and Blanche Vincent’s make-over. Please contact Lisa Leonardi at 203.464.5318 or email, Lisa {at} TheRoomDoctor(.)com if you think you can help.