Published December 20, 2019

MELROSE — “After just one month in office, I have already seen how important the Emergency Fund is, both for the people it helps and for the people who give to it,” said Mayor Paul Brodeur. “One of my priorities upon taking office was to meet with the fund administrators and review their procedures. After talking to them, I am impressed with how carefully they manage the fund to make sure we are honoring the Fund’s founding purpose. Just as important, I see how much good it does for our neighbors in need. We are receiving donations every day tucked inside of kind notes. As I said last week, Melrose is a big-hearted city, and I am truly touched by our residents’ generosity toward their neighbors.”

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 basic needs—food, fuel, and utilities. The fund depends entirely on donations from the public, and every penny goes to direct aid 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:

• Janet and Henry Murphy

• Melrose Emblem Club No. 89

• Brian and Diane Hogan, in memory of Joe Casey

• The Arsenault Family

• Jennifer LeClerc and David Martin

• Victor and Glenda Amirault

• Gerald and Ann Levinson

• Donald and Janice Bissex

• Matthew O. Pani

• George and Lisa Morrison

• Dennis and Janet Farrell

• Charles Sheridan

• Robert Christiansen

• Evelyn Gladu and Betty Spear

• Margaret Zirker and Scott Warmkessel

• Thomas and Debra Holmen

• Robert and Judyth Casey

• Joanne and Anthony Santagate

• Richard and Patricia McConville

• Lynne and Peter Reveno

• Tony and Judy Pecci

• Beth and Tug Yourgrau

• Barbara and Brian Musselman

• Paul and Marie Bruce

• Nelaine Vinciarelli

• Eda George

• Michael and Sue Ann Kostur

• David and June Cuttino

• Karen and Lawrence Capuano

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. For more information about the fund, call 781-979-4440.