Cape Cod Times Needy Fund campaign raises $1.62M, exceeding goal
HYANNIS — Very generous Cape and Islands residents, business owners and visitors came together in the 2021 Cape Cod Times Needy Fund campaign to support their neighbors who are struggling financially.
Donations exceeded the campaign's goal by about $477,000, with a total of $1,627,212 raised — the largest amount ever by the Needy Fund.
The $1,150,000 goal was exceeded due to more than 5,700 donations from the Needy Fund's Summer Appeal and Holiday Campaign — with over 4,500 donations in the Holiday Campaign alone.
"Considering the tumultuous political environment and divergent views about so many things, it is heartening to see thousands of Cape Codders step up to help Cape Codders in need," said Peter Meyer, president and publisher of the Cape Cod Times and president of the Needy Fund.
Previously: Needy Fund helps injured tradesman, wife get back on feet
"I extend a sincere 'thank you' from the Needy Fund board of directors and fund recipients to all the donors who contributed to help those struggling with financial hardships on Cape Cod and the Islands. The Needy Fund will see that your assistance is used to make a difference in our community," Meyer said.
Donations to the Needy Fund ranged from $5 to $100,000 and they came from individuals, clubs, employers, businesses, churches, school groups, service organizations, foundations and neighborhood associations. The average donation was $281.
Betsey Sethares, who is retiring this month as executive director of the charitable nonprofit after 25 years, said she was "humbled by the generous outpouring of support from everyone who gave to the Needy Fund during this exceptionally difficult time. Your support provides both help and hope to so many."
She added that she is leaving her job with a "profound positive regard for the community, my staff and board of directors. Thank you donors for your loyal support, your confidence in the mission of the Needy Fund and for the opportunity to serve this community for the last 25 years. Leading the Needy Fund has been a true honor.”
Meyer said the "success of this year's campaign is a wonderful tribute to honor longtime executive director Betsey Sethares' upcoming retirement and positive affirmation for the next executive director of the Needy Fund."
How to help
The Cape Cod Times Needy Fund has been helping with a host of immediate, short-term emergencies such as food, rent, medical costs and other basic expenses since 1936.
Applicants submit their need to the Needy Fund, which in turn pays for the goods or services — a medical bill, for example — through a voucher system.
Donations, which are tax-deductible, may be made at needyfund.org. Checks may be made payable to the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund and mailed to Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, P.O. Box 36, Hyannis, MA 02601.
Those needing assistance may contact the Needy Fund at 508-778-5661 or 800-422-1446.
Total contributions to date; $1,627,212.60
Gratis Foundation;$20,000
Anonymous;$20,000
Jeanne McDonald;$1,550
Cape Cod Alarm Co. Inc.;$1,300
Karina Reynolds;$1,281.50
Theresa Cullen;$1,200
David Wilbur;$1,200
Jennifer Rockwell;$1,020
Christine and John Mccartney;$1,000
Breakfast Bunch, East Dennis;$1,000
Robert and Irene Dilworth;$1,000
In memory of The Ironhorse;$1,000
Katina Atsalis and Family;$1,000
Margaret Witham;$900
Charles and Mary McCarthy;$797.50
Carol-Jo Santangelo;$660
Sandwich Downs Book Club;$650
Deborah A. Demello;$600
Howard and Suzanne Harrop;$600
Ronald and Mary Makara;$600
Jeanne Morrison;$600
John and Margo Newcombe;$600
Friends of The 28 Club - to a better New Year;$550
Ronald Daniels;$550
Francis and Karen Sayers;$520
Peter Doyle;$500
Mariners Lodge AF & AM, Cotuit;$500
Fallon Fence Inc.;$500
Beverly Petersen;$500
Helen C. Ormsby;$500
David Wilk;$500
In honor of the Staff of the Cardiovascular Center - Hyannis Cape Cod Healthcare from Lawrence McAuliffe;$500
In loving memory of Nick Pedicini from Ken and Anne Pedicini;$500
In memory of Amy from Toby Kalman;$500
In memory of Genie Cooke from the Cooke Family;$500
In memory of Joan Fairbanks Lipp from Peter Lipp;$500
In memory of Philip McCartin from Alan and Meghan Palmer;$500
In support of the Principal, Teachers, Staff, Administration of the West Villages Elementary School;$500
Karen and Randy Lewis;$500
Jay and Irene Giles;$480
Elizabeth Cormier;$445
Norberto Soto;$440
In memory of our parents from Allan and Darlene Fisk;$400
Steven Aiken;$400
Jennifer Carleton;$385
Deborah Patellos;$360
Jeffrey Dobro;$343
In loving memory of those who passed this year: my sister Linda Wolfe, good friend Bev Turner, volunteer friends Charlie LaMarca, Peg Rose, and Tim Ellstrom;$309
Erica Waasdorp ;$305
Leslie Murphy;$300
The Jean Hamilton Memorial Fund;$300
Dorothy and Joseph Connors;$300
Sean Morrison;$300
Christopher and Adrienna Cormier;$275
Nancy and Charlie Curtiss;$271.50
Michael and Susan Carey;$250
For Gerry, a blessing;$250
Given in memory of Robert A. Greig by the Greig and Royx Families;$250
In loving memory of Grammy Jean … Love Renee, Will, Julia, Connor, Matthew, Tyler, Ava, Andrew and Joey;$250
In memory of Bob and Peg Reynolds from Amy Reynolds Downey;$250
In memory of Carol Taylor from Janet LaFleur;$250
In memory of Pat Bates, Johnny Greene and Ray Greene from Ron Greene;$250
In memory of Caroline Lloyd from Petra and Bernhard;$250
Janet and Mike Pierce;$250
Thomas and Paula Rocco;$250
Anonymous;$250
Billie and David Kapp;$245
Gerry Desautels;$240
Barbara Draper;$240
David Smith;$240
Maureen White;$200
John Sully;$200
Mary Flanagan;$200
In memory of Bill and Ella Hallett, Betty Downey and Justin Barsch;$200
In memory of Derek Tarcy from Debra, Ted and Eva King;$200
In memory of Joe and Jamie from Rosalie Killion;$200
In memory of John from Dorothy Venning;$200
In memory of Ralph and Vera Whitman – Love your great-grandsons Deacon, Griffin and Andrew;$200
In memory of Therese Kenney from Mike and Sue Collopy;$200
Sandy and Dave Lorenz;$200
The Blackbaud Giving Fund on behalf of American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation and its donors;$200
Carol Rennie;$200
Anonymous;$200
Anonymous;$200
Peter and Sally Cutler;$154.50
Nancy McMorrow;$100
In memory of Reg and Dorothy Knight Van Buskirk from Carolyn;$100
In memory of John D. Turchon from Carolyn;$100
Ann Wenzel;$100
Linda Molleo;$50
Gene and Diane Greene;$25
Happy New Year friends from Mary LeClair;$50
Diane Ota;$50
John and Catherine Hammond;$100
Ward and Maureen Dunning;$50
Thomas and Barbara Wingardner;$100
Anonymous;$15
Anonymous;$50
Ernest and Lois Ryden;$100
Joseph and Frances Garfield;$25
Anonymous;$100
Sally B. Tournas;$100
In honor of Brian - an honest soul who found my wallet intact in Hyannis. My Christmas miracle - Elizabeth O'Neill;$100
In memory of Ardath Reynolds and Rue O'Neill;$100
Anonymous;$100
Cindy and John West;$100
In honor of Chris Meade;$100
No Hatters;$120
Anonymous;$75
Anonymous;$50
James and Frances Bogden;$100
In memory of Peg, Bill and Kevin Moynihan - J.L.;$100
In memory of all the journalists assassinated in 2021;$50
Anonymous;$25
Dennis and Carol Fonseca;$50
The Baker Family;$50
Bartl Main and Donna Buonopane;$100
Donald and Denise MacIsaac;$180
In loving memory of Scott Hughes;$100
In loving memory of Jack and Jean;$50
Mary and Charlotte Harris;$100
Nancy Tarvers;$25
Anonymous;$100
Britt Anderson;$120
Jack and Linda Hughes;$50
Anonymous;$50
Anonymous;$100
Nana and Papa;$50
Caroline Bloom;$50
Anonymous;$100
Anonymous;$100
Edward Jarosz;$50
Carolyn Stone;$50
Richard and Laurel Palmer;$25
In memory of Rev. Hal Cooper from Bob, Fern, and Jack ;$105
The MacKenzies;$100
Anonymous;$50
In memory of Lorraine Thayer from Jill;$50
In memory of my sister Lauren Anne;$50
Anonymous;$100
Robert and Cindy Thompson;$186
Anonymous;$50
John D. and Kathleen R. Sullivan;$100
In memory of my parents Margaret and Daniel Toomey from Peggy McAloon;$100
Deborah A. Schilling;$100
Anonymous;$15
Robert C. Lawton Jr.;$100
Bruce and Patricia White;$50
For my friend Kathy M from Walter Alessi;$25
Peter Pettengill;$25
Anonymous;$100
In honor of Helen Prothero, on her birthday, with love from her family.;$100
Anonymous;$15
Happy Holidays from Paul Brown;$25
Anonymous;$100
In memory of Rose Izzo;$100
John and Kathleen Spelman;$100
In memory of my parents Cliff Fisher and Elinor Fisher from Leslie Terry;$100
Shane Bergin;$20
Leslie and Susan Koch;$180
Ted and Jacqueline Deckel;$100
Anonymous;$20
Paul and Marjorie Ammann;$100
John Rude and Nancy Whalen;$50
In memory of James H. Howarth Jr., Elda M. Howarth and Charles W. Noyes Jr.
From Charles and Susan Noyes;$100
Stewart and MJ Pattison;$25
Emanuel and Patricia Francione;$25
In memory of Joseph K Power from Annie Shepherd;$100
Annie and John Morrison;$50
In memory of Eleanor Hammond from Beth Hammond;$50
John and Ann Shea;$100
Susan Gierej;$120
Elliot Strahl;$120
Anonymous;$150
In memory of Ed Neally from John and Linda Plantinga;$50
Matt and Vincent;$25
Stephen Harding;$100
Donald and Martha Crane;$100
Henry and Judith Ellis with Barbo's Furniture Holiday Giving Program;$100
Michael Shapiro;$110
Kathleen M. Teahan;$50
Jean Kinkead;$120
Donna Buiso;$20
In memory of Joanne Gordon of Hyannis from the Bayberry Place Residents Association;$25
For Paul and Pam Maher and Weedy from Bernie Schwartz;$100
Eleanor Greenhalgh-Kilty;$103
In loving memory of Hermen and Jemima Wiesner;$25
In loving memory of my husband Hal from Phyllis Cooper;$100
Valerie Hunt;$100
Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank matching a donation from Darlene Call;$150
In memory of Betsy Sommers;$100
Anonymous;$20
Jane and Bernie Powers;$100
Magnus and Heidi Von Schlieffen;$50
Anonymous;$60
Barb and Mike Fedoras;$100
Peter S. Roberts;$100
Michael McGarr;$150
Anonymous;$50
Sandra Petruzzo;$25
In memory of Father John J. Perry from Ed and Sally Kirk;$150
In memory of Jane Uyenoyama from Julie and David Doll;$50
In memory of Bill, Connie, Ralph, Chris and Sammy;$50
Anonymous;$50
Maria and Bill Arseneaux;$50
Anonymous;$25
St. Pius X Women's Society;$100
Anonymous;$25
Susan Quinones;$35
Bumpa and Nana;$50
In loving memory of our son Danny from Joe and Susan Hassett;$100
Anonymous;$25
Anonymous;$50
In memory of Christian who loved Cape Cod;$50
In memory of my husband Joe from Christine Werner;$50
Carol and Bruce Barnard;$100
Anonymous;$25
Nancy E. McCarthy;$100
Anonymous;$20
In memory of Richard Dimmock;$100
Andy and Judy Cornella;$50
Thomas Philpott;$100
Anonymous;$100
In memory of my twin brother Richard J Donahue from Robert J. Donahue;$100
Lawrence and Nancy Meads;$50
In memory of Tip and Millie O’Neill;$100
Bob and Gayle Leaversuch;$100
Ronald Daniels;$50
Chris and Paula McWilliams;$50
Brian and Donna Murphy;$30
Anonymous;$25.75
Michael and Syrel Dawson;$150
Anonymous;$100
Shawn and Mary Hatch;$100
Gail Dieter;$100
Liz and Brewster Rowley;$100
In memory of the Cullen, O'Neil, McCarthy and McLaughlin families from Jim and Betty Cullen;$100
Gerard and Paula Laliberte;$25
In honor of Harper and Liam - our Grandchildren;$100
Charles and Helen Bresnahan;$100
Anonymous;$25
Anonymous;$100
Hesse Grandchildren;$100
Anonymous;$25
To all of those who are gone but not forgotten from Thomas J Finlay;$100
In memory of Gary A. French;$100
In memory of Don and Dorothy Munroe from the Drake Family;$50
Anonymous;$25
Dan and Susan Gray;$25
In loving memory of Paul Poulos and David Sylvester;$100
Thomas and Anastasia Perrino;$100
Anonymous;$100
The Chalifoux Family;$50
Elaine Graybill;$103
Amica Companies Foundation matching a gift from Deborah McLister;$175
Mary Capizzi;$120
In memory of our loved ones we said goodbye to in 2021 - Linda and Louie Visco;$100
In memory of Mauvie Ackley;$50
Susan Moeller;$140.60
In memory of Dave Dufault and in gratitude for Caleb Bagge from Jacqueline DuFault;$25
Anonymous;$100
Edward Hacker;$50
Anonymous;$20
Anonymous;$25
Elaine Miller;$50
Vivian Cafarella;$100
Barbara and George Bishop;$100
Marla Menzies;$25
Peter Milan;$25
Marc and Barbara Amidon;$100
Elizabeth Otis;$25
Gary and Dorice Meau;$120
Carol Magenau;$100
In memory of our parents - Shirley and Marvin Tepper and Marilyn and Bill Stewart from Nina Tepper and Billie Stewart;$100
Theresa E. Desantis;$50
Susan Maxwell;$75
Anna Manatis and David Anderson;$100
In memory of the Thomas and Allison Family members who are no longer with us - Neil and Linda Allison;$100
Anonymous;$30
Brian Lane;$130
Francesca Webber;$154.50
Anonymous;$100
Tony and Patty Porcaro ;$100
Bruce and Marcia Rothwell;$50
Anonymous;$25
Allan E and Harriet J. Katz;$100
Eric and Pat Schaefer;$100
Norman and Beverly Constant;$100
Anonymous;$100
Fred and Pam Pryor;$50
Bruce and Kate Christian ;$50
Anonymous;$100
Anonymous;$25
In memory of Steve Wilson;$50
Jane Johnson;$100
In memory of Dorelle;$100
Anonymous;$25
Bonnie Catena;$42
In memory of Robert A. and Alice D. Burns from Julie Burns Doll and David C. Doll;$100
Anonymous;$100
Anonymous;$100
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod Times Needy Fund campaign raises $1.62M, far exceeding goal
