2024 Holiday Angel Fund Appeal

[Doug Ellis]

Brethren,

As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded of the profound importance of supporting those in need within our community. This year, we again turn our focus to the children in Concord, through the guidance of Bonny Wilbur, Concord’s Community Services Director.  Please note, this does not include any of the families at the shelter at the Best Western.  They have funding elsewhere. 

For years, we have given a $50 gift card per child, split between TJ Maxx for affordable clothing and toys, and Revolutionary Concord for locally sourced toys and art supplies. These contributions have consistently made a significant impact on families in our area.

However, in the past decade, we have not increased our gift amount. In light of rising costs and to make an even greater impact, I propose we raise the amount to $60 per child this year. This brings our goal to $7,000. 

Currently, our Angel Fund holds $1,552.64, leaving us with much work to do. I urge you to contribute as generously as your cable tow allows. This effort is a reflection of who we are as Masons—steadfast in our commitment to charity and the betterment of our community.

How to Donate:

1. By Check:
   Make checks payable to Corinthian Lodge, and mail to:
   58 Monument Square, Concord, MA 01742.
   Please include “Angel Fund” in the memo line.

2. Online:
   Use the following link to donate via credit card, PayPal, or Venmo: [Click Here].

Deadline:
To ensure timely delivery of the gift cards, I plan to purchase them the week of December 2nd. Please send your donations as soon as possible to help us meet this timeline.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and for exemplifying the true spirit of Masonry during this season of giving.

Fraternally yours,
Doug

Below is the appeal from Bonny Wilbur:

=================================

Hi Doug,

 

Here’s our 2024 list of Concord children in need. Many of the families remain on the list year after year, but of course a few families have kids who turn 18 and drop off, and new families move into town as well. The number is down only very slightly from last year, with 63 families representing a total of 116 kids.

 

As I believe I said last year, with the opening of the Best Western shelter it seems that support for our families living in Concord who struggle to pay rent has dropped off somewhat. (No shelter families are included on this list; they receive significant state and federal assistance.) The extremely generous support from the Masons is crucial, and I always include a note with each gift card I pass along, letting the family know the support comes directly from you guys!

 

As always, never hesitate to let me know if you have any questions. Many, many thanks!

 

 

Bonny Wilbur

Community Services Coordinator

55 Church Street

Concord, MA 01742

	Parent	No.  & Age of Child	Reason for Need
1	Two parents - HA	1 child Age 14	Afghan immigrants. Mom at home, Dad works for Lyft. Two older kids over 18, still living at home.
2	Two parents - MA	4 children Ages 17, 13, 10, 9	Syrian refugees. Mom at home. Dad works sporadically as Uber driver.
3	Two parents - JA	2 children Ages 9 and 7	Parents own a cleaning service. Struggle financially.
4	Two parents - TB	2 children Ages 14 and 11	Parents started a landscaping business this year. Struggling.
5	Two parents - OB	1 child Age 7	Both parents work, one during day, one on nightshift in order to save on childcare. Also support ailing parent.
6	Single mother - JB	1 child Age 11	Single Mom who escaped domestic violence. No child support. Mom struggles with severe health issues.
7	Single mother - MC	2 children Ages 12 and 10	Single Mom who works. Ex-husband doesn’t pay child support regularly.
8	Single mother - BC	1 child Age 8	Receives some support, works full time. Son has severe behavior issues.
9	Two parents - LC	4 children Ages 7 (twins), 2, 1	Mom is home, Dad works. Always struggle to pay bills, Mom due to have 5th child in February.
10	Single mother - HC	2 children Ages 12 and 10	Dad works full-time, Mom has small business, but they still struggle.
11	Two parents - AC	2 children Ages 9 and 11	Mom works, Dad stays home to care for severely disabled daughter. Family has very high medical bills.
12	Two parents - SC	2 children Ages 17 and 12	Both parents work in low wage jobs, struggle financially.
13	Two parents - AC	1 child Age 16	Mom fighting aggressive cancer and unable to work. Dad has taken leave from work to care for his wife.
14	Two parents - TD	1 child Age 17	Mom stays home. Dad is self-employed in seasonal job, income drops during the winter months.
15	Single mother - HD	2 children Ages 15 and 12	Divorced couple, both parents work, but struggle to support two homes.
16	Two parents - JE	2 children Ages 16 and 15	Mom works full-time, Dad does not work. Struggle financially.
17	Single mother - IE	3 children Ages 9, 6, 4	Single Mom and kids recently moved into subsidized housing in town. Very little financial support from ex.
18	Single mother – CF	1 child Age 16	Single Mom, teaches part-time, no financial support.  Transgender child attends private school.
19	Two parents - YF	2 children Ages 7 and 4	Mom does not work. Dad works but makes little, struggle financially.
20	Single mother – LF	4 children Ages 16, 14, 9, 4	Single Mom to four – works full-time. Receives very little support.
21	Single mother – BF	2 children Ages 11 and 5	Single Mom who works. Her brother also lives with them but provides no financial assistance.
22	Single mother - TG	2 children Ages 7 and 2	Single Mom receives no support from father of either child, struggles.
23	Single father - AG	1 child Age 7	Dad has full custody as child’s mother is severely mentally ill. Dad is a musician and struggles to provide.
24	Two parents – LH	1 child Age 16	Family moved into subsidized housing after living in a hotel. Dad refuses to work. Mom works part-time.
25	Single mother – BH	1 child Age 14	Mom is a veteran. Receives little support from child’s father. Continues to struggle to provide.
26	Single mother – DH	1 child Age 13	Mom works full-time, sole support for her child (plus 2 older kids over 18).
27	Single mother - NH	2 children Ages 15 and 2	Single Mom is sole support of her children. Works part-time and struggles financially.
28	Single father – MJ	1 child Age 14	Dad on disability and is a recent cancer survivor.  Sole support of daughter. Struggling on many levels.
29	Single mother - NK	1 child Age 3	Single Mom is sole support of her daughter, works low-paying job due to her struggle with English.
30	Single mother - HK	1 child Age 14	Mom was fired from her full-time job, struggles to support her son alone.
31	Two parents - RK	3 children Ages 17 (two aged 17 - blended family), 7	Dad disabled, Mom has difficulty holding down a job, have struggled since moving to town years ago.
32	Single mother – DL	2 children Ages 16 and 14	Mom is widowed. Works full-time but still struggles financially.
33	Single father – DL	1 child Age 14	Dad works full-time, gets low pay, struggles to support his daughter.
34	Two parents - DL	3 children Ages 17, 4, 2	Mom and Dad both work, have an older child still at home, struggle.
35	Two parents - LL	1 child Age 15	Both parents work, but struggle to provide for their daughter, plus two older kids still living at home.
36	Single mother - ML	1 child Age 11	Single, working Mom, raising ex-husband’s child by another woman so her older child will know his sibling.
37	Two parents – AL	1 child Age 17	Mom stays home. Dad works for minimum wage, neither speak English well. Always struggle financially.
38	Two parents - CL	2 children Ages 6 and 3	Mom had near-death medical emergency, had to quit working. Dad struggling on his income alone.
39	Single mother – MM	1 child Age 14	Mom works in low-paying job, receives little support from ex.
40	Single mother - CM	2 children Ages 16 and 10	Single Mom, lost her sales job and has had trouble finding another job with salary equal to the job she lost.
41	Two parents - ZM	3 children Ages 17, 14, 9	Immigrant family, Mom at home, Dad works part-time. Elder daughter lives with them to help with English.
42	Two parents – MM	2 children Ages 13 and 11	One parent passed away this year. Stay-at-home mom struggling to find work. Children have many challenges.
43	Single mother - SM	1 child Age 10	Mom works full-time, sole support of her child. Has an older child at home.
44	Single mother – LM	1 child Age 16	Mom works full-time, receives no child support. Struggles financially.
45	Two parents - SM	2 children Ages 7 and 4	Both parents work, but struggle to provide for their kids.
46	Single mother – MN	3 children Ages 17, 14, 10	Single Mom works full-time. Receives assistance from ex, but not enough.
47	Two parents - JN	2 children Ages 12 and 9	Refugee family struggling financially. Dad works, Mom is home.
48	Single mother - KO	2 children Ages 8 and 6	Single Mom, receives some assistance from ex. Employed part-time.
49	Single mother - CO	2 children Ages 13 and 11	Single Mom, receives no child support. Works full-time but still struggles to provide for her kids.
50	Single mother - EP	1 child Age 9	Single Mom. Daughter has chronic disease, often home from school so Mom has trouble keeping a job.
51	Two parents - KR	3 children Ages 11, 9, 4	Mom works a full-time job, Dad does not work. Also have an older child living at home.
52	Single mother – JR	1 child Age 13	Mom works full-time to support her 5 kids. Only 1 is under 18, but 4 still live at home. Dad doesn’t help financially.
53	Single mother - CR	2 children Ages 12 and 6	Single Mom. In community college while working part-time. Receives very limited support.
54	Single mother – TR	1 child Age 16	Mom works full-time, receives no child support. 2 children at home, one just turned 18.
55	Single mother - AS	4 children Ages 12, 9, 6, 3	Single Mom works full-time, receives limited child support.
56	Single mother - AS	1 child Age 6	Single Mom, in school full-time. Intermittent support from ex.
57	Two parents – JS	2 children Ages 14 and 10	Mom and Dad both work, but Dad was unemployed for years. Also have another older child at home.
58	Two parents - ES	2 children Ages 15 and 13	Both parents work in low-paying positions. Struggle financially.
59	Two parents - MS	1 child Age 2	Mom lives in subsidized unit and does not work. Her boyfriend is in college and works part-time.
60	Two parents - AW	3 children Ages 8, 5, 2	Afghan refugees. Mom at home, Dad works part-time. Both struggle with English. Very low-income family.
61	Two parents - JW	2 children Ages 8 and 4	Mom and Dad both work, but make little and struggle financially.
62	Two parents - DW	2 children Ages 13 and 12	Family struggles financially and emotionally. 2 older children at home. Blended family and much domestic upset. No steady income.
63	Two parents - AY	3 children Ages 17, 13, 7	Iraqi refugee family. Mom stays home, Dad struggles with English, works in a low-paying job.