Needy Fund provides a summertime of memories for Cape grandson

Grandparents being the primary caregiver for their grandchild is becoming more common these days, and it can be a challenge to raise another child alongside the difficulties of getting older.

A 70-year-old retired grandfather living on Cape Cod was in such a position when he contacted the Needy Fund.

His 7-year-old grandchild, whom he has sole custody of, wanted to go to summer camp this year, an expense this grandfather had not anticipated and could not afford on his fixed income.

He recognized the importance of keeping his grandchild engaged, active and connected with peers over the summer break, and reached out to the Needy Fund for assistance.

The Fund was able to pay the cost of summer camp for his grandchild, who exclaimed to Needy Fund staff, "Thank you, I am going to have the best summer ever!"

More about the Needy Fund

Many human service agencies offer assistance to those in need, but the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund has been helping with several immediate, short-term emergencies such as food, rent, medical costs and other basic expenses since 1936.

No cash is given to Needy Fund recipients. Instead, the agency pays vendors through a voucher program. The case described above was provided by the Needy Fund on the condition of anonymity.

How to donate to the Needy Fund

Donations, which are tax-deductible, may be made at needyfund.org. Checks also can 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.

How to get Needy Fund assistance

Those needing assistance may contact the Needy Fund at 508-778-5661 or 800-422-1446. Questions can be emailed to info@needyfund.org. The Needy Fund is also on Facebook (facebook.com/NeedyFund) and Twitter (@NeedyFund.)

Total Contributions to Date: $120,993.96

Dan and Terese Heintzelman Family Foundation: $10,000

Brazilian Grill, Inc.: $5,000

In memory of Caroline S. Lloyd from James Lloyd: $2,500

In thanks for all we have: $2,500

In memory of Kathy Livingston from Anne Pickart: $2,000

Jeffrey and Georgia Wilson: $1,000

Dennis and Marisa Devine: $500

Marjorie Donovan: $500

Susan and Bruce Jankowski: $500

Marcia Dalbey: $500

In memory of Frank Ward Sr.: $500

In memory of James Sethares from William Jarvis: $500

In memory of Pat Schiestl from Stefan Schiestl: $500

Anonymous: $500

Anonymous: $500

Cordelia and Donald Delson: $300

Helen and Clifford Fisher: $300

Fredericka B. Cobey: $300

John Stanley and Diane Miller: $250

Vincent and Mary Birbiglia: $250

Paul and Mary Alice Gallant: $250

Donald and Ruth Wright: $250

John and Adelita Fracasso: $250

Paul & Lauren: $250

Anne and George Gingold: $220

West Yarmouth Congregational Women’s Fellowship: $200

Peter and Joan Boyer: $200

Cecile Sneider: $200

Daryl Bladen: $200

David and Barbara Webb: $200

Sharon and Fred Johanson: $200

David and Joyce Zemina: $200

In memory of David and Shirley Hamblen: $200

In memory of Donald Campbell from John Janowicz: $200

In memory of my Lenny: $200

Rita and Joseph Wood: $200

Anonymous: $200

Anonymous: $25

In Memory of Marie Grace Lucier, from Kent and Kathleen Farrenkopf: $50

Anonymous: $100

Patricia F. Lotane: $100

Cheryl Divito: $100

Reagan and Everett Chalke: $50

Phyllis Burnham: $25

Joan Murphy: $10

Francis and Joyce Celli: $25

Donald and Elaine Bassett: $40

Joy and Roscoe Riley: $40

Christine Schott: $25

Paying it forward with gratitude for Tom and Vivian: $75

Suzanne Hoepker: $25

Carole Croft: $25

Anonymous: $100

John and Theresa Clarkin: $50

Cottages of Cape Cod: $100

Anonymous: $100

Peter and Mary Genovese: $50

Albert and Barbara Willey: $30

Anonymous: $25

M. Sylvia Lamb: $50

Ward and Maureen Dunning: $50

Anonymous: $25

Kendall Ayers: $100

In memory of Gary A. French: $100

Suzanne Methelis: $100

Anonymous: $100

Anonymous: $50

In honor of Peter Moriarty: $50

David and Diane Surprenant: $100

In memory of Cynthia Markle, Faith Halfyard, and Arthur J. Beatty, from Betsy and George Gardner: $75

Anonymous: $100

Ed and Shirley Larsen in memory of Betty Jacques: $100

Rene Guenette: $100

Norma L. Shidlovsky: $50

Donald Larsen: $20

Anonymous: $50

Mary Ellen and Sean Curran: $50.01

Anonymous: $100

In memory of Bob and Scott Duverger from Florence Duverger: $25

John and Shirley Farrington: $100

Donald H. Clegg: $20

Deborah Donaldson: $10

In memory of my parents Steve and Irene Gwozdz summer birthdays from Nancy Gwozdz Turnbull: $50

Anonymous: $50

Anonymous: $50

Carol Magenau: $100

In memory of loved ones: $20

Anonymous: $100

In memory of Fannie T. Carreiro: $15

James and Joan Duchesney: $15

Gerald and Karen Katchmar: $25

Beverly Clark: $50

Anonymous: $150

William Leavitt: $25

Michele Pregent: $20

Andrew and Anita Raposa: $25

Shirley O'Brien: $50

In memory of Brenda M. Kinsella: $100

Be well, stay safe: $35

In memory of Steve Grizey: $25

Anonymous: $50

Ellen Karel: $50

David and Gini Donnelly: $100

Marvin Hoovis: $100

Irene Antkowiak: $100

Anonymous: $30

William and Patricia Thomas: $50

William Munro: $100

In memory of Edmund Lukas from Helen Rakov: $50

In memory of Jack Dowman: $20

In honor of God and his miracles. Gratefully, Paula Mello: $50

Anonymous: $100

Frederic and Sandra Scudder: $100

Arthur N. King: $30

Anonymous: $20

Courtney Raeke: $2

Thomas G. Lamont: $25

In memory of Win and Frank Bopp - my parents: $100

Rita Klopfenstein: $80

Joan F. Garrity: $50

Chris and Mary Argys: $30

Anonymous: $25

Jeanie Reilly: $25

Paul Bosselaers: $50

John Fauth: $100

Anonymous: $100

Kathleen Riley: $100

Andy and Judy Cornella: $50

Anonymous: $50

In memory of Phil Bee: $100

In memory of my husband George: $100

Valerie Mellett: $15

Richard and Lesley Swaylik: $100

Anonymous: $25

Anonymous: $50

Anonymous: $20

Bill and Lorna Hathon: $150

In honor of Rob and Cathy Giapponi from Bob Connelly: $25

Stanley and M Theresa Goldstein: $50

Julie and Vince Kraft: $100

J. C. Garner: $100

Anonymous: $100

Mary and Roger Cadrin: $50

Brian and Ann Kelly: $25

Kenneth J. Whittington: $25

Mary Ellen Hautanen: $50

Richard and Jean Lyon: $50

Gail Schoonover: $100

In memory of Lennie - love B: $50

Marianne Durfor: $25

Bruce and Patricia White: $50

In memory of Peg Noyes and Tess LaSpina from Patricia McCarthy: $50

Charles Ering: $100

Anonymous: $100

Anonymous: $25

Jane Martell: $50

In memory of Marge and Ed, and Rusty and Ed: $100

Anonymous: $2

Joseph and Joan Powers: $15

Richard and Patricia Tucker: $75

Raffi: $100

Phil and Beverly Johnston: $100

In memory of Mary and Bill Costello: $100

In memory of my Halloween Hooters: Virginia Sullivan, Mary Goyette, Mary Cullen, Liz Zubrinski, Nancy Plaster, Jean Paquin, Jean Butler and Anne Berard, from Joan Schlander-Minelli: $150

Mia and Max: $25

C L and A E Mello: $50

George and Janet Levesque: $100

James and Elizabeth Cullen: $50

Thomas and Marita Ducharme: $162.78

Dennis Mascio: $100

Anonymous: $150

John and Linda Wilson: $50

Donald and Murva Deneen: $50

From Erica Long in Heaven: $25

Jed and Carolyn Johnson: $100

Karin Wennberg: $100

Charles and Susan Pitzi: $150

In memory of Neil Cronin from Darren Grebe: $100

Wayne and Janice Grenier: $50

In memory of Rachel Hassett: $100

John Keefe: $21

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Capece: $150

Dick and Mary Ellington: $100

Judith Sweeney: $50

M.D.R.: $50

Anonymous: $15

Anonymous: $100

Frances Dooley: $10

Lucy L. Elmer: $50

In memory of Carol Sawyer, Judy Lovett, Patricia Fethiere: $150

Ann Garrahan: $100

In memory of Sherry Sajban from Rocco and Susan Maffei: $100

In memory of Barbara J Hosmer: $100

Ruth Anderson-Zabre: $75

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Needy Fund provides a summertime of memories for Cape grandson