Wellesley Coronavirus Relief Fund Donates $12,800 In Grants

WELLESLEY, MA — The newly-established Wellesley COVID-19 Relief Fund is announcing its first round of grant funding, awarding $12,800 to local non-profit organizations providing critical support for residents in the Town of Wellesley.

This money will fund programs to connect long-term care residents to loved ones, support remote learning for vulnerable school-aged children, and support Wellesley restaurants while serving COVID-19 affected residents.

Created just two weeks ago, the Wellesley COVID-19 Relief Fund is a partnership between The Community Fund for Wellesley, an endowed fund of the Foundation for MetroWest, a tax exempt 501(c)3 organization, and the Wellesley Board of Selectmen, that addresses unmet needs in our community resulting from the ongoing Coronavirus crisis. Wellesley-based organizations are invited to submit proposals; grants will be awarded on a rapid and rolling basis.

The four initial grants were chosen based on immediate need and for their impact on a cross-section of the Wellesley community.

• Connecting those in medical quarantine to their loved ones: Elizabeth Seton Residence
Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation is receiving a grant to purchase several iPads to enable residents in the long-term care facility to visually connect with their loved ones.

• Masking residents most vulnerable to community spread of COVID-19: Through a joint initiative between the Wellesley Fire Department, Wellesley Health Department, and Wellesley Council on Aging grant funds will purchase 2,000 KN95 masks for distribution to Wellesley senior citizens and medically vulnerable residents.

• Supporting Wellesley families with school-aged children: Through a grant to Wellesley Service League funds will support 50-75 Wellesley families in public housing and throughout Town who are struggling with the at home and online learning needs of their school-aged children. Grant money will provide items such as: kits and school supplies for remote learning; arts and crafts supplies; and games and pizza lunch every other Friday through the remainder of the school year.

• Freshly prepared meals from Wellesley restaurants to those isolated at home: Through a collaboration between the Wellesley Health Department, Wellesley Council on Aging, and Wellesley Housing Authority grant funds will supply 60 meals from Wellesley restaurants per week (including delivery) for COVID-19 affected residents identified by Town social services and nursing staff. The organizations will partner with our Wellesley restaurants to provide these meals.

This funding supports an initial two-week pilot with Wellesley restaurants, supporting both the residents and the local business community.

At Elizabeth Seton Residence Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, a non-profit long-term care facility in Wellesley, Coronavirus has taken a tremendous toll on both the staff and the residents. Judith Coogan, Director of Development, shared words of gratitude for the funds.

“This grant will make a significant difference in the lives of all we are honored to serve. The iPads will allow our residents to connect with those they love, and for end-of-life FaceTime calls, they are invaluable. Through the support of the Wellesley COVID-19 Relief Fund, we will be able to facilitate FaceTime calls for all our residents and we could not be more grateful,” said Judith Coogan, Director of Development.

The Wellesley COVID-19 Relief Fund was established with an initial gift of $10,000 from the Community Fund for Wellesley to ensure an immediate source of grant support. In the past two weeks, the Wellesley COVID-19 Relief Fund has grown to more than $20,000 thanks to generous donations from many Wellesley residents and the business community.

The Community Fund for Wellesley looks forward to supporting future grants on a rapid and rolling basis and encourages the Wellesley community to support this initiative.