Grant money for needy citizens
Published on July 21st, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Stoneham has $45,988.50 available to provide health care to needy citizens, but the money must be spent before August 31 of this year.
The Helen Walcott Stockwell Trust distributes funds to Stoneham annually based on an Internal Revenue Service pay-out requirement. Each year money from the Stockwell Trust, which would otherwise go to the IRS, goes toward payment of medical bills for needy Stoneham citizens, per the last wishes of Ms. Stockwell.
The Trust must pay out $79,955.40 in taxes or charitable donation for the 1998-1999 fiscal year ending August 31, of which $34, 011.50 has been spent for the medical needs of Stoneham citizens.
Applications for Stockwell funds are available in the selectmen's office at Town Hall. The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Al Conti at present, reviews applications to assess need. Only the chairman and the board's secretary see applicants' names. If an applicant is authorized by the selectmen, money goes directly from the bank to the hospital or health care provider.
"We have not denied any applications," Conti said. "We can use a broad definition of 'need.'"
Awareness is a problem, Selectmen Darin Leahy said. He said more advertising by the trust could help, along with coverage from the local media.
Acting as trustee, Sandra Brown-McMullen, Vice President of Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, contacted the selectmen to ask about "additional grant recipients" in a July 8 letter.
The selectmen want citizens to know that $45,988.50 is in the town's hands and will go to the IRS if Stoneham folks do not use it.
Health care organizations as well as private citizens are eligible for the money. For example, funds went toward free child inoculations several years ago. Boston Regional Medical Center also received funds in the past.
At the last selectmen's meeting Selectmen Cosmo Ciccarello asked Senior Center Director Barbara Mahoney to look into asking for Stockwell funds for the senior center.
Citizens can reach the selectmen's office at 279-2680.
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