 |
Report for FY2011 (July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011)
This year, Help at H.O.M.E. raised over $16,000 for the Welcome Aldrich Relief Fund and disbursed over $23,000 to 41 Holden households (~ $600/household). The fundraising was done principally via the envelopes distributed in the Light Department bills in November of 2010. This has been the method of fundraising since the inception of Help at H.O.M.E. in the summer of 2008. Donors include individuals, civic organizations, schools, churches, and local businesses.
Of the over $23,000 distributed, 78% went to pay for utilities (electric, oil, natural gas), 11% for rent and housing support, and 8% for plumbing and other household emergencies. Approximately $800 was spent on printing of the fundraising envelopes and on postage.
In addition to the assistance listed above, Holden families were also provided with information about other resources in the community, particularly, Wachusett Food Pantry, Food Stamps, Housing, In Home Services, and Fuel Assistance.
Since Help at H.O.M.E. was launched three years ago, over $60,000 has been received in donations and $58,000 has been disbursed (97%), and over 90 families have been helped. We will continue this necessary work with the continued generosity of the Holden community.
The Welcome Aldrich Relief Fund is administered by the Holden Council on Aging on behalf of the Town of Holden.~The Fund was created in the 1930s following the Great Depression to assist Holden residents in need. The purpose of the Fund is to help Holden residents, regardless of their age, who seek assistance with their heating/fuel/utilities bills.~ It is turned to as a last resort, when the residents have been unable to receive support elsewhere and are experiencing an emergency.~The Fund has been providing assistance to residents for over 70 years.
| |
