PUTNEY-After a hiatus of two years, Southern Vermont Sister District brings back its "Save the USA Croquet" fundraiser to help flip strategic state legislatures to Democratic Party control.
"Bring friends and family and follow a meandering set of whimsical wickets through backyard gardens," write organizers of the event, which takes place in Putney village and features original wickets crafted by local artists and activists that "creatively incorporate social justice, human rights, and environmental topics."
This year's theme is inspired by Maya Angelou's poem "And Still I Rise."
Participants can sign up for tee times every 15 minutes, starting at 10 a.m. on both Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5 with room for groups of six or fewer.
The event is open to all ages and there is no cost to play. However, donations to support Southern Vermont Sister District candidates are requested.
Southern Vermont Sister District, a local volunteer team affiliated with the nationwide Sister District Project, has been going strong for nine years and through creative fundraising efforts has raised over $100,000 for state legislative candidates in Virginia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
Nearly all the candidates supported by the Southern Vermont Sister District have won, helping to flip several chambers from Republican to Democratic majorities.
"In these frightening times of national political chaos, focusing on the grassroots efforts of state legislatures is a stand against the rise in authoritarianism," organizers said in a news release. "State legislatures are the incubators for good ideas (and bad). It's where vital everyday issues about public schools, women's health, and affordable housing are decided."
To learn more and to sign up for tee times, go to actionnetwork.org/forms/sister-district-southern-vermont.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.