MELROSE — Donations for the Melrose Emergency Fund have begun to arrive in the Mayor’s Office, with members of the community donating over $17,000 during the first week alone.
“I continue to be astounded and touched by the generosity of the people of Melrose,” said Mayor Paul Brodeur. “Melrosians understand the true meaning of giving. Every donation made to the Emergency Fund goes directly towards helping families and individuals – your neighbors – that need help with food, utilities, rent relief, and other essentials. The fund is here so they can receive this help quickly, and don’t have to forego basic needs. Your donations make this possible, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you, Melrose.”
The purpose of the Emergency Fund is to provide one-time help to Melrose residents experiencing financial emergencies. Most of the help the fund provides is for basic needs—food, fuel, and utilities. The fund depends entirely on donations from the public, and every penny goes towards direct assistance to Melrose residents. There is no overhead, because city staff administer the fund as part of their regular duties. All applications are confidential.
Recent donors to the Emergency Fund include: James and Anne DeSouza Ward, Kathy and Dan Radley, Kaitlyn C. Baptista, Tracy Wilson, Evelyn Gladu and Elizabeth J. Spear, Erin Tighe Morgan and Sheila A. Tighe, Janice Walsh, Susan and Edward Hollingshead, Michael A. Kostur and Sue Anne Kostur, John F. Gibbons, Susan G. Baron, Rosemary A. Connors Botto and James Botto, Gail E. Berg, David Machado, Robin Eriksen, Christopher and Emily Santillo, Carolyn Ferguson, Robert Christiansen, Marita Crowley, Henry Jr and Maura Bagley, Helen Cronin and Leanne Berlinnsky, Robert and Susan Walsh, Albert and Anne Commito, John and Christine Oteri, Frank M. Garvey, George Proakis and Lisa Loveland, Tug Yourgrau, Lucy Erkkila, Cheryl Murphy, in memory of Geri Murphy, Melrose High School, Class of 1956, Joe Sullivan, Myron and Rose Dittmer, Carol Elizabeth Downs, Craig and Sara Brandon, Mary E. Mogavero, Kathryn Armata, George and Sioban Haldeman, Margaret Zirker, Penny’s Dog Walking, John Calabro, Eric Adelman in honor of his parents, Audrey and Donald and in celebration of Chanukah, John P. Vetere and Christine M. Vetere.
Donations to the Emergency Fund are especially welcome during the holiday season, and are accepted throughout the year. To make a donation, send a check to Melrose Emergency Fund, Mayor’s Office, 562 Main St., Melrose, MA 02176, or bring it directly to the Mayor’s Office on the second floor of City Hall. Checks should be made out to the City of Melrose, with “Melrose Emergency Fund” in the memo line. Contributions may also be made through the City of Melrose Online Bill Payments webpage, www.cityofmelrose.org/payments. For questions regarding the Emergency Fund, call (781) 979-4440.