FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ELIZABETH WEBER – 781-662-1314
CONTACT: SYLVIA PIERCE – 603-524-4228
SPRING BALL RAISES OVER $185,000
FOR FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND SENIOR CITIZENS IN DIRE NEED
BOSTON – The Weber Foundation of Helping Hands came out again to support local families, children and senior citizens in need during its third Annual Spring Ball on March 27 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza-Boston. More than 400 attended the event to raise money for the foundation, which provides direct financial assistance to individuals and families facing life-threatening illnesses or other catastrophic situations. We are excited that over $185,000 was raised. Every year the Weber Foundation Spring Ball has grown. This year the funds raised increased by more than 20%.
Elizabeth thanked the many supporters in attendance for making a difference. During the evening, Elizabeth presented 12 new grants totaling nearly $60,000. Just since the last ball, the Foundation has given out 24 grants totaling more than $117,000. To date they have been able to give in excess of $306,000, helping 87 individuals and families in dire need.
In dedication to Elizabeth Weber’s father who recently passed away, two new programs have been set up in honor of her father’s commitment to his family and his community. It will be called the “The Weber Foundation Harold F. Nice Fund” in memory of Harold F. Nice. This fund will be sponsoring two new projects – The Somerville Housing Authority, and Friends of Malden Seniors. Governor Mitt Romney, Lt. Governor Kerry Healey along with the Chairman of the Republican Party Darrell Crate, donated $10,000 in support of the “The Weber Foundation Harold F. Nice Fund”.
The Somerville Housing Authority received a grant of $5,000 that will provide a full two-year scholarship to Bunker Hill Community College for a resident of Somerville living in the projects who is faced with many challenges and is committed to furthering his or her education. Ron Bonney of the Somerville Housing Authority was very instrumental in coordinating these efforts with the foundation and also donated $2500 to The Weber Foundation Harold F. Nice Fund grant. The Friends of Malden Seniors fund was created with the help of Malden City Councilor Mike Sheehan to provide grants to elders in the Malden community to offset the cost of air-conditioning during the summer months. Since each summer we hear about the tragic deaths among the senior community due to heat stroke and other related issues, a $6,000 grant was issued during the ball to help elders who are on a fixed income and cannot afford the electricity needed to run an air conditioner.
In addition to the grants, special awards were handed out; Lonnie Paxton of the New England Patriots received the first annual “Robbie Sorrentino Memorial” award for his dedication and commitment through his foundation called “Active Force Foundation which helps disabled athletes. Another first annual called the “Weber Humanitarian” award was given to Bobby LaMantina of Tokyo Joes, for his efforts in raising funds for the Weber Foundation – they have raised more than $50,000 during the past two years. Another deserving award was given to Marika Merva, the Third Annual Helping Hands award; an award that recognizes one of our very special volunteers who have made a significant contribution to the goals and mission of the foundation.
During the ball, Elizabeth Weber, founder of the organization was presented with proclamations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate, the Boston City Council and the Governor’s Office in appreciation for her work on behalf of area families and residents. A proclamation from the City of Boston also declared March 27th the Weber Foundation of Helping Hands Day.
Weber began the foundation in October 2000 to assist people who are facing some of life’s most difficult challenges. Elizabeth’s goal is to help as many people as possible and not limit the Foundation to a particular cause or specific illness. She wanted to help those who have fallen through the cracks and have nowhere else to turn.
As the founder, Elizabeth wanted to be more personally involved with the beneficiaries she was helping. Rather than simply write checks to various charitable organizations, Elizabeth wanted to put a face and a smile to every grant bestowed. And, since the inception of the Weber Foundation of Helping Hands, she has been blessed with the support of many volunteers and contributors.
The Weber Foundation is pleased to report that to date, all administrative costs have been donated or underwritten, allowing the proceeds to go to people in dire need.
Thanks to many “helping hands”, the Foundation has been able to make a difference in the lives of eighty-seven individuals and families.
For more information on The Weber Foundation of Helping Hands, call 781-662-1314
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