Mayor’s Office Kicks Off Melrose Emergency Fund Fundraising Campaign: 50k by the Holiday

The Mayor’s Office today announced the launch of its 2023 Melrose Emergency Fund fundraising campaign, 50k by the Holiday, and is raising awareness of the importance of donating to the fund, which received approximately $35,000 in donations last fiscal year, but provided over $78,000 in financial aid to Melrose families in need between July 2022 and June 2023. This year, the Mayor’s Office has a goal of raising 50k by the Holiday, or $50,000 by New Year's Day.

The Melrose Emergency Fund, which was established in 1996 by Mayor Lyons’ administration after 25 families were displaced by two fires, accepts donations for the purpose of providing relief to resident families found in emergency need, with a focus on ensuring basic needs including food, rent, and utilities are met. The fund depends entirely on donations from the public, and every penny goes to direct aid to Melrose residents.

“We are grateful for the nearly 30 years of generosity from the Melrose community that has enabled the City of Melrose to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars to families facing financial emergencies,” said the Mayor’s Office. “For us to be able to continue helping our community members keep a roof over their heads, food on their tables, and heat and light on in their homes during the coldest and darkest days of the year, we have announced a goal of raising at least $50,000 by New Year’s Day. This will ensure that we can keep the Emergency Fund going, and Melrose’s tradition of ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ alive for another year."

How to Donate to the Melrose Emergency Fund

To donate, 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.

About the Melrose Emergency Fund

There are no overhead costs because city staff administer the funds as part of their regular duties. All funds collected go directly to helping Melrose residents in need.  If you are in a financial emergency, please contact the Council on Aging at 781-665-4304 or visit https://www.cityofmelrose.org/emergencyfund to fill out an inquiry or complete an application. All applications are confidential.

Recent donors to the Emergency Fund include

Samantha L. Block
Essex County Community Foundation
Brian Buzby
Paul Ahern