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A message from Founder and President, Elizabeth Weber

"Thank you for supporting our efforts to help others who need a helping hand. It takes a lot of helping hands to make a difference and we are making a difference. We are pleased to report that to date we have issued 45 grants totaling nearly $150,000. All administrative costs have been donated to ensure that the money raised goes to people in dire need. My vision is to help as many people as possible and not limit the foundation to a particular cause or specific illness. Our focus targets people who have fallen through the cracks and have nowhere else to go. It is important to remember that even the largest charities do not always cover all the costs related to a life-altering tragedy. People seldom think about the other costs related to an illness. Your support will allow us to continue to help many other children, families and individuals in dire need." Elizabeth Weber

Grants Issued in 2002

  • February 19,2002 $2,000 The Nicole Family
  • February 20, 2002 $3,600 Kevin O'Connell
  • February 28, 2002 $1,530 Mary Marshall
  • March 13,2002 $2,500 Julie Prahl
  • April 8, 2002 $6,000 Kevin Baumann
  • April 8, 2002 $6,000 Elliott Matteson
  • April 8, 2002 $6,500 Gail Doherty
  • April 8, 2002 $10,000 The Alexander Family
  • April 9, 2002 $1,600 Sabrina Joseph
  • August 8, 2002 $5,000 Kelly Costedio
  • August 1, 2002 $2,940 Virginia Sequeira
  • September 30, 2002 $1,000 Lisa Levy Langsam
  • October 1, 2002 $3,500 Abby Shanley
  • October 1, 2002 $1,000 Tina Willard
  • October 19, 2002 $5,000 Mitchell & Kyle Forslind
  • October 31, 2002 $6,500 Kristen Kocourek
  • November 7, 2002 $2,500 Meredith McCarney
  • December 17, 2002 $5,000 Jenel Avola
  • December 17, 2002 $2,000 Matthew Proctor


    • Click links above or scroll down to see individual grants issued in 2002


    Fund Raising Events for 2002
    • April 6th The Weber Foundation of Helping Hands raised over $75,000 for local families and children in need during it's First Annual Spring Ball at the Fairmont Copley Plaza-Boston. More than 350 attended the event to raise money for families, children and individuals suffering from life-threatening illnesses and other catastrophic situations. During the ball, Councilman Stephen Murphy, presented Elizabeth Weber, the organization’s founder, a proclamation from the City of Boston in appreciation for her work on behalf of area families and residents.
    • August 19th Better Than Broadway a cabaret benefit held at "The Rhodes on the Pawtuxet" in Cranston, R.I. Twelve talented dance stuidos participated in this wonderful dance extravaganza that raised over $5,000 for the foundation.
    • September 8th "Angels on Course" Our 2nd Annual Golf Tournament and Barbeque at Mt. Hood Golf Course in Melrose, Massachusetts. was a huge success with over 200 people in attendance. The generosity of many sponsers, and the donation of raffle prizes made it possible to raise over $17,500.00. The tournament was followed by an awards presentation dinner and dancing into the evening.
    • October 19th The first annual "Angels on Foot" Fun Walk/Road Race held in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire was a huge success. There were 135 participants and over $15,000 was raised. Several large grants were issued. Mitchell and Kyle Forslind's family were in attendance to accept a grant for $5,000 to help make the children's' home handicap accessible.

    The Nicole Family, $2000 grant, February 19, 2002

    Sandra, a single mom from Manchester, N.H., and her two daughters, Michelle and Moriah, lost everything they have ever owned including their two cats (and they had no renter's insurance) when a devastating fire swept through their apartment building, burning it to the ground. A request from Wendy Moquin from Manchester, New Hampshire, resulted in The Weber Foundation issuing a grant for $2,000 to help alleviate some of the expenses the Nicole family is enduring as a result of the fire.
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    Kevin O'Connell, $3,600 grant, February 20, 2002

    Kevin and Diane O'Connell live in Salem, Massachusetts and have 2 children. Kevin is suffering from cancer and desparately needed assistance so that they would not lose their home. We were able to help them with 3 month's mortgage payment. Kevin has received aggressive chemotherapy and bone marrow treatments. Kevin, who was working 50 to 70 hours per week to raise his family, will be out of work for an extended period of time. He is receiving approximately $375 per week from disability. Patty Palumbo from Melrose, Massachussetts alerted the Weber Foundation to Kevin's plight, and the foundation responded with a grant to help cover Kevin's mortgage payments for a three month period.
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    Mary Marshall, $1,530 grant, February 28, 2002

    Mary, who resides in Douglas, Massachusetts, was diagnosed with an agressive form of Breast Cancer and The Weber Foundation issued a grant to help with the high costs associated with her alternative therapy plan (the Haelan 951 Plan) which she desparately needed. Mary's situation was brought to the attention of The Weber Foundation by Sherri Smith from Milbury, Massachussetts.
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    Gail Doherty, $6,500 grant, April 8, 2002

    Gail Doherty, from Natick, Massachusetts, a mother of two girls, has suffered for the past four years with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease. Brenda Asis requested help from The Weber Foundation of Helping Hands on behalf of Gail. The Doherty's had to sell their home this year and rising medical costs may deplete all of their funds by early this summer. Gail needs $30,000 to cover her living and home care expenses for the summer. People from the community so far have donated $7,000. If an additional $23,000 is not raised Gail may have to enter a nursing home by June and will not be able to spend the summer with her two girls. The Weber Foundation issued a grant of $6,500 to help alleviate some of the expenses associated with Gail's home care and help her to continue to live with her family during the summer months.
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    Costedio family with Guardian Angel Dana PerryKelly Costedio, $5,000.00 grant, August 1, 2002

    Kelly Costedio of Billerica, Massachussetts has two small children, Alec and Camryn, both suffer from Alternating Hemiplegia, a devastating neurological disorder. The children require physical, occupational and speech therapies. They also need to wear many different braces and take medication to reduce the severity of their attacks. The grant was given to help alleviate the expenses associated with the high cost of the braces and medication, which are not covered by insurance. The check will be presented to Kelly by her sister and guardian angel Dana Perry.

    Virginia Sequeira, $2,940 grant, August 2002

    Virginia Sequeira of Plymouth, Massachussetts, is a single mother of three children. Two of her children, Ashley and Alexander have a rare neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. They are not able to walk and require the use of wheelchairs. Virginia has been unable to work this past year because of the many surgeries her children have undergone. The children’s father gives her no assistance and has recently tried to reduce the minimal child support he now gives. She has high monthly bills including her handicapped van payment. The grant was given to help Virginia with two months mortgage and van payments, in hopes that she will be able to continue to stay home to care for her children. The check will be presented to Virginia by her friend and guardian angel Marla Monteiro.
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    Mitchell and Kyle Forslind, $5,000 grant, October 19,2002

    On October 19, 2002 the Weber Foundation of Helping Hands sponsored "Angels on Foot" Walk/Run. A grant in the amount of $5,000.00 was presented to the Forslind Family of Farmington, N.H. In June of 2002 Mitchell (3 years old) and Kyle (one year) were diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder know as Krabbe Disease. They are being treated at Duke University in North Carolina where they underwent core blood stem cell transplants. The great news is that both transplants were a Success!! Their dad, David took a leave from his job so that he and their mom, Fran could be in N.C. during their treatments. They have the financial burden of paying for an apartment in N.C. as well as their home mortgage. In addition they need to make many renovations to their home to make it handicap accessible for the boys. This grant has been given to the Forslinds to help them make these renovations. Their guardian angels are Robert and Leona Newell from Pepprell, MA.

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    Meredith McCarney, grant $2,500, November 7, 2002

    On November 7, 2002, a grant in the amount of $2,500.00 was given to Meredith McCarney of Greenfield, IN. Alan McCarney and his wife Mary have five boys and a little girl named Meredith Hope. In January of 2001, the McCarneys learned that Meredith had serious health issues. After countless tests to get a diagnosis, it was learned that she has a muscle disorder, which affects the muscles, brain and sight. At two years old, Meredith is blind, and she can’t sit up or even crawl. In addition to that, she has a serious seizure condition, which requires daily medication. Due to a devastating blow to Alan’s income last year and the loss of his health insurance, the family has been left with many uncovered medical bills. This grant has been given specifically to purchase a special needs stroller for Meredith. The McCarney’s Guardian Angels are Daniel and Terri Whited of Fishers, IN.
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