The Neighbors Fund received a call from an older Cape and Islands man whose wife was showing signs of dementia. He was asking for help, saying he had nowhere else to turn. He was unaware that they missed a mortgage payment because she had been the one to always handle the bills. He’s still employed, but has been forced to take time off to travel to and from medical appointments to ensure his wife can receive the care she needs. That has left them with a a temporarily reduced income.
Afraid of facing additional late fees — or worse — losing his home, the man reached out for help.
The Neighbors Fund was able to help with his mortgage and put this loving husband in touch with services and organizations that could help him with his wife’s diagnosis. In addition, the Neighbors Fund staff explained senior discounts and programs available to help stabilize their situation.
What is the Neighbors Fund?
The nonprofit Cape Cod Times Neighbors Fund, formerly the Needy Fund, has provided emergency financial assistance to thousands of Cape Codders and Islanders since 1936. That assistance is made possible because of the continued generosity of neighbors helping neighbors.
The Neighbors Fund provides short-term emergency assistance to Cape and Islands residents so they can continue to go to work and/or stay in their homes. People in need submit their requests for help to the Neighbors Fund, which in turn pays for the goods or services — a medical bill, for example — through a voucher system. No cash is given to Neighbors Fund recipients.
How to donate to the Neighbors Fund
Donations, which are tax-deductible, may be made online at neighborsfund.org/cct
Checks can be made payable to:
The Cape Cod Times Neighbors FundP.O. Box 36Hyannis, MA 02601
How to get Neighbors Fund assistance
Those needing assistance may contact the Neighbors Fund at 508-778-5661 or 800-422-1446.
Questions can be emailed to info@neighborsfund.org. The Neighbors Fund is also on Facebook (facebook.com/Neighborsfund) and X (@Neighborsfund). Visit the site at neighborsfund.org
Total Contributions to Date: $40,967.36
Jim LLoyd;$5,000
Dan and Terese Heintzelman Family Foundation;$5,000
KarenAnne and John Townsend;$1,000
West Parish of Barnstable Outreach;$500
The Kerlin Family Charitable Fund;$500
Jack and Ann Reeves;$500
In honor of the Fyfe Family from J. and B. Fyfe;$500
Vernon Brown;$500
Sandra M. Dethlefsen;$500
Joan Tweedell;$500
Frederic and Sue Merrick;$250
Keith Lemire;$250
Raymond Archacki;$250
Paul and Mary Alice Gallant;$250
Anne and George Gingold;$220
Joan Simpson;$200
In memory of Paul and Scott MacDonald from Mary Jane Farley;$200
In memory of Edward Oberlander;$200
Howard and Suzanne Harrop;$200
Katherine Goddard;$200
Francis and Nancy Gorman;$200
Kevin and Leslie Dealy;$200
Nancy Gibbons;$200
Brian and Susan Abbott;$200
Tom and Marcia VanderVoort;$200
Lawrence and Anne Gaine;$200
Paul and Janis Donlan;$200
Anonymous;$200
Faramarz Khedmaty;$154.50
Phineas Fiske;$25
Norman Weare;$100
In memory of Tom Ambrose-love, Mom and Dad;$100
In memory of Alice and Tom Duffy;$50
Duncan and Elizabeth York;$100
Ruth Anderson-Zabre;$100
Dianne Beuke;$50
In memory of Betsy Anderson;$75
David and Susan Sheinkopf;$50
Lt. Col. William N. Tedesco;$25
Nila and Bruce Smith;$100
Edward Looney;$50
Mary Katharine Balcke;$25
Jocelyn Croft;$10
Rich and Gwen Brown;$100
Pat and George Neher;$50
Marilyn McDermott;$100
Packer-McGarr;$25
Carol Robbio;$35
William and Mary Cahalane;$100
Pat DeNegri;$50
Carol Schneider;$20
Susan Aalpoel;$150
William and Elizabeth Barry;$50
Catherine E. Conlon;$100
Virginia Howden;$100
William Lafleche;$20
In honor of Rita and Jerry Winer’s 75th Wedding Anniversary from Betsy and George Gardner;$75
In memory of Beezie Robertson;$25
Wayne and Janice Grenier;$50
Bonnie Sullivan;$100
Sandra Hirst;$25
Joseph and Edna Holland;$100
Alice Bonacci;$50
Anonymous;$25
Philip and Margaret Read;$150
Susan Dahm;$15
In honor of the Purmort Family Fathers;$50
Anonymous;$50
Caroline Burgess;$50
Michele Kegley;$25
Terry W. Milligan;$100
George and Janet Levesque;$100
In memory of Susan E. Shubra;$80
In memory of Bruce H. McPhee;$50
In memory of Ann Galligan;$30
Anonymous;$25
John Keefe;$10
Anonymous;$100
Janet and James Cochrane;$107.86
Robert and Johanna Maryanski;$10
Robert and Elizabeth Foley;$100
Anastasia and Paul Croteau;$25
Larry and Christine Gordon;$100
Anonymous;$25
George Tuttle and Joseph Purpura;$100
Lois M. Mahony;$20
Gerald and Karen Katchmar;$25
Anonymous;$50
Judy and Dick Nelson;$150
Marsha McCarthy;$25
Anonymous;$100
In honor of Judy Turpin from Bob C.;$20
Anonymous;$15
Arthur and Margaret Lindberg;$20
Melinda and Kenneth Aguiar;$50
Kathleen Tucci;$100
Anonymous;$50
Gemma Mathews;$100
Marlene and John Ciborowski;$50
David and Carol Scott;$100
John and Mary Witbeck;$20
Elizabeth Tyldesley;$107
Elaine and Raymond Berry;$150
In memory of Gene Cadman;$50
James Garb;$100
James and Elizabeth Cullen;$100
Candace Laakso;$103
Susan Searles;$15
Donald and Elaine Bassett;$50
In memory of Mr. Ron Johnson;$20
Ellen McGrath;$25
Charles Berthelson;$50
In memory of deceased Schick and DiSenso Family;$50
Robert and Arlene Hoxie;$103
Deb Gibbons;$103
Lisa Eilers;$50
Donald and Eva Avery;$50
Linda and John Trimble;$100
Florence Duverger;$25
Antonio Pinto; Jr.;$20
In memory of George Botelho;$100
Anonymous;$100
Peaches and Kit;$100
Paula Degree;$50
Anonymous;$75
Richard Tumolo;$20
Anonymous;$100
Sandra and Thomas Ulrich;$103
Eugene R. Monay;$100
Norm and Patricia Michaud;$100
Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.