Foundation Set To Release Third Stipend To Gas Explosion Victims

NORTH ANDOVER, MA -- Columbia Gas of Massachusetts customers that did not have gas service restored by Thanksgiving will be eligible for a third stipend beginning this week. The Essex County Community Foundation said Friday its Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief Fund would be following the release of that money, the total amount doled out by the fund will top $12 million.

The fund includes donations made in the wake of the Sept. 13 gas explosions that killed one and damaged or destroyed more than 130 buildings in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence. The number households eligible for the stipend is approximately 2,5000. Applicants that requested their checks by mail should receive them this week. Recipients that asked to pick up their checks will receive letters with instructions on how to claim their checks.

For more information, see the fund's notice on the stipends.

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Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).