MELROSE – The Melrose Emergency Fund continues to receive donations in the Mayor’s Office, with members of the community donating more than $5,000 between December 13 through December 22, bringing the total amount of donations to over $22,000.
“I want to thank each and every person who has stepped up this past month and answered our call to action,” said Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur. “This year, we’ve seen an unprecedented amount of generosity from our community members, and not just in their financial support of the Emergency Fund. Hundreds of people have also provided diapers for families with toddlers and infants and volunteered their valuable time at COVID-19 clinics. It’s clear that Melrose has a lot of love to give, and I am deeply touched by the way our community continues to come together to help keep each other safe, secure and healthy all year-round.”
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 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: Beth and Tug Yourgrau, John P. Vetere and Christine M. Vetere, Marcia Orlowski, Maureen Buzby, Michael Interbartolo Jr., Jerold Larrsson, Michele Ford Guihan, Charles C. Wasgutt and Catherine E Curtis, Mary Ellen McNamara, Robert D Lynch, Vincent & Sandra Nagle, Robert & Kathleen A Rotondi, C. Wendell Smith and Andrea Gilbert, Linda A Hedetniemi, Melrose Emblem Club No, 89, Martin E. & Mary E. Robichaud, Marie A. Ryan, Ellen M. Crocker, Robert Ruzzo, James and Maureen Dagle, in honor of Dagle Electrical, Paula Sen, in honor of Ronald and Ellen Sen, Ronald Harding and Deborah Harding, Donna M. Albertelli, Richard P. McConville and Patricia P. McConville, in memory of Bill Deane, J. Victor Amirault and Glenda J. Amirault, S.M. Shinkwin and J.W. Shinkwin, Barvara A. Leedham and Paul J. Leedham, Joseph P. Nevin, Jr. and Janet M. Nevin, Anthony J. Schena and Carol J. Schena, Leslie A. Landry, Michael L. Morris and Susan P. Morris, Evan J. Zahner and Lea A. Fasano.
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, 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.
