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Fortuna: Old Saybrook CARES (Committee for Active Recovery Efforts in Saybrook)

The Town of Old Saybrook, through its Long Term Recovery Committee, a committee that brings together our local government, voluntary agencies, community and faith-based organizations, philanthropy, and private-sector partners to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery effort, announced that it has launched an ad-hoc town committee called “Old Saybrook CARES” to assist town residents.

Old Saybrook residents can apply for a grant up to $1,500 to be used for food, housing, utilities, child care or transportation costs related to job layoffs and/or unemployment due to COVID-19. The fund will only be used for the benefit of Old Saybrook residents.

Here’s how it works: Old Saybrook residents who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for an Old Saybrook CARES grant and can visit www.middlesexunitedway.org/oldsaybrookcares for more information. Applications will be reviewed and rewarded on a first come-first served basis. The first round of grants will be distributed by the end of August. To qualify for an Old Saybrook CARES Grant:

• The applicant must be a resident of Old Saybrook.

• Funds are to be used for basic needs (food, housing, utilities, childcare or transportation costs) related to job layoffs and/or unemployment due to COVID-19.

• Applicant may request up to $1,500

• Only one grant will be awarded per household.

Applications can be dropped off at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, emailed to oldsaybrookcares@oldsaybrookct.gov, or mailed to: OS CARES Committee c/o Town Hall, 302 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. All applications will be reviewed and considered by the committee.

Donations are still being accepted. We are a generous town and the time is now to help our fellow citizens. The goal is to raise $100,000 in order to address the ongoing needs of as many Old Saybrook residents as possible. While this is an ambitious goal, the committee to date has raised $13,000 from a generous anonymous donor and is in receipt of a $30,000 matching grant generously donated by From You Flowers, of which Old Saybrook resident Mike Chapin is president and CEO.

I spoke with Mike recently and he is hopeful that the matching grant motivates others to donate to this important program to help even more Old Saybrook residents in their time of need. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.middlesexunitedway.org/oldsaybrookcares or checks can be mailed to Old Saybrook Cares Committee, c/o Town Hall, 302 Main St., Old Saybrook, CT 06475. When making your donation, please know that 100 percent of the funds raised through the Old Saybrook Cares program will benefit town residents affected by COVID-19

I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank the Old Saybrook CARES Committee members for their time and volunteer efforts in making Old Saybrook’s response to this health crisis a model for other communities to follow. The steering committee members include town residents Mark Ricciardelli, Ashley Smelser, Leigh Morant, and Kristen Roberts.

Thank you again to the committee and all of you for your generosity in helping Old Saybrook’s COVID-19 recovery efforts.