LETTER: Art auction raises $8,200 for immigrant defense fund
September 11, 2025To the Community:
Does combining art, music, food, friends and the opportunity to make a difference sound like fun? Well, it was for the attendees of ARTful justice, a fundraiser for the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund, which raised over $8,200 on Sept. 5. The goal of the event, organized by Indivisible Mad River Valley and Camel’s Hump Indivisible, was to have a real impact for Vermont residents caught up in the detention system.
Created this year, the goal of the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund is to expand urgently needed legal support for immigrants facing removal proceedings in Vermont. No one should have to go to court alone.
State Treasurer Mike Pieciak (center) with organizers of the ARTful Justice art auction held last weekend in Waitsfield. Courtesy photo
An item from the ARTful Justice silent art auction. Courtesy photo
Over 70 artists submitted 84 pieces for the silent auction. Attendees bid on art, mingled, and listened to live music performed by Granville Daze. Doug Bergstein kept the action moving as the evening's emcee. Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, one of the creators of the fund, was in attendance, and he spoke to the impact the fund is already having in securing representation for immigrants in Vermont. At the same time, they continue to seek donations to reach their $1 million goal.
Many of the more than 160 people who attended enjoyed the offerings of Peace Burger and Afterthoughts for food and drink. There was a buzz in the air as people dined, caught up with friends, and had the opportunity to do something to make a difference.
To learn more about the fund or to donate, visit the website vermontlegaldefensefund.com.
To learn more about Indivisible, see the main website Indivisible.org and the local website indivisiblemrv.org.
Judi Daly, Moretown
Karen Cingiser, Waitsfield