The REAS Foundation is pleased and honored to announce the expansion of it partnership with the Sturbridge Service Center. As a long-time Sturbridge business resident providing vital, often life-saving emergency services to travelers throughout the region, the Sturbridge Service Center is no stranger to helping those in need.

Last year, just weeks after the REAS Foundation was established, the Sturbridge Service Center stepped forward to partner with REAS in support of Sturbridge seniors. Again this year, Craig Moran and his son Craig (CJ) have come forward to continue that relationship with another $1,000 donation to the REAS Foundation in support of Sturbridge seniors. 

During a check presentation conducted on-site, CJ Moran stated that the “Sturbridge Service Center Inc. is happy to contribute to such a worthwhile cause. We owe a debt of gratitude to our seniors; we are thankful that the REAS Foundation is there to allow us a local avenue to give back”. Craig went on to indicate that “Sturbridge Service Center is currently formulating an in-house program designed to provide additional services to qualifying Sturbridge seniors”. Details are forthcoming.

Accepting the donation on behalf of the REAS Foundation, Jennifer Morrison – Chief Administration Officer thanked Mr. Moran for “his deep sense of commitment to Sturbridge seniors and his unwavering support of the REAS Foundation in its efforts to assist those in our community who are most vulnerable”. Echoing Ms. Morrison’s sentiments, REAS Foundation Chief Marketing Officer - Maryann Thorpe who accompanied Jennifer during the presentation said that “Our community is most fortunate to have the support and partnership it enjoys with Sturbridge Service Center”. She went on to say that “Craig and his staff have been integral to the success of the REAS Foundation in its efforts to provide energy assistance to Sturbridge seniors; we are honored by their continued partnership”.

REAS Foundation Executive Director Thomas R. Creamer highlighted “the extensive support Sturbridge Service Center has provided our senior community as well as its efforts in support of local public safety agencies”. Mr. Creamer added that “our community is privileged to have such compassionate and caring corporate neighbors”.

The Board of Directors of the REAS Foundation has announced a major donation from Southbridge Savings Bank. Southbridge Savings Bank’s generous support of a $2,500 will help the organizations goal of raising $20,000 to help assist Sturbridge seniors with energy costs.

The REAS Foundation is built upon the belief that the greatness of a community is ultimately judged not so much by the beauty or magnificence of its structures, but rather, by its compassion, contributions, and care for its most vulnerable members. Rising energy costs, which in turn drive the costs of many associated items, coupled with fixed incomes, have placed many of our seniors in difficult,and dangerous predicaments. Their incomes are now fast outpaced by escalating energy prices. Choices between fuel, food, and prescriptions medications are becoming all too common for many of our seniors.

“The Board of Trustees and I are happy to help contribute to such a worthwhile organization,” the Bank’s president and CEO, Phil Pettinelli, said on offering Southbridge Savings’ donation. “Our Bank is committed to helping those in need in the areas that we serve.”

REAS Foundation Executive Director, Thomas Creamer, said, “To date this is the most generous donation our organization has received. The support provided by Southbridge Savings Bank to our senior community has and continues, to dramatically change the lives of local seniors.”

If you want to find more information about the REAS Foundation’s visit them at www.REASFoundation.org. Inquiries may be sent to info@REASFoundation.org or to P.O. Box 737, Fiskdale, MA 01518.

For more information about Southbridge Savings Bank, call 800-939-9103 or visit them on the Web at www.southbridgesavingsbank.com.

Fiskdale and Sturbridge seniors have long been the beneficiaries of great service, support, and assistance from the Friends of Fiskdale-Sturbridge Seniors. Inspired by their organizational bylaws to “…encourage, initiate, and sponsor programs and services…” [that] “…enhance the dignity and well-being of senior citizens…”, and to “…institute fundraising projects and activities for the services not provided for by the Town of Sturbridge…” the Friends have always been a source of hope for local seniors.

Recently, the Friends of Fiskdale-Sturbridge Seniors demonstrated yet again their comprehensive approach to supporting our seniors by way of a significant donation to the REAS Foundation. Citing the growing need among seniors within our community, Friends President Josephine Kaitbenski said that ” The board members of the Friends of the Sturbridge/Fiskdale Seniors are pleased to have donated $500 to the REAS Foundation.  We feel that this is what community is all about, people helping people”.

Friends Treasurer Claire Cook echoed Ms. Kaitbenski’s comments saying that “The Friends of the Sturbridge/Fiskdale Senior Center count it a privilege to help our seniors in whatever way we can.  We appreciate what the REAS Foundation is doing to provide essential energy funds to seniors.  REAS is filling a need in our community and this kindness has a great impact on all Sturbridge and Fiskdale citizens”.

Jennifer Morrison - REAS Foundation Chief Administration Officer - thanked the Friends for their “generous contribution to the health and welfare of Sturbridge seniors and their tireless efforts on behalf of our senior community”.

REAS Foundation Executive Director Thomas R. Creamer conveyed his “deep gratitude on behalf of the REAS Foundation for the generosity and support of the Friends of Fiskdale-Sturbridge Seniors” citing the “significance of Seniors helping Seniors”.

Over the past 18 months the national economy has deteriorated at an unprecedented rate. Job losses, bank failures, real estate foreclosures, and unemployment figures continue to rise at historic levels; all of this at a time when paychecks and benefits are declining disproportionately. The national unemployment rate currently stands at 9.8%; during the same period last year it was recorded at 6.5%. Here in Massachusetts, unemployment now stands at 9.3% - a sharp contrast to the 5.6% figure of exactly 12 months ago.

The unraveling of our nation’s economic infrastructure has driven more Americans to food pantries, homelessness, and desperation. Many suffer in silence, agonizing each day over basic financial obligations they are now unable to meet. Families, faced with mounting economic pressures, find themselves feeling isolated, detached, and hopeless. The most vulnerable among us - our children and our seniors - are witnessing the destruction of confidence within their homes as they and their families try to cope.

Sadly, many of us are acutely unaware of the suffering just across the street, around the corner, or a mile down the road. Behind the well kept exteriors of our neighbors’ homes there is a silent storm that is ravaging all too many lives. Here in Sturbridge there are too many seniors who are facing the most desperate period in their lives. Men and women who have contributed to our community for years are now bracing for a winter that looks to be even more bleak than that experienced a year ago. 

During our inaugural 2008 winter (October – February), the REAS Foundation processed 50 applications, 43 of which were approved for energy assistance. In the month of October 2009 alone, we have already received 17 requests for assistance. There is little doubt that in today’s spiraling economic climate, the need for assistance will be significantly higher than that witnessed last year.

More and more Sturbridge seniors are finding themselves with fewer options and are reaching out for help for the first time in their lives. For many it is a bitter pill to swallow. Years of hard work, frugal living, independence, and hopes for a comfortable retirement, have been supplanted by disproportionately rising costs and diminishing returns on their lifelong savings. Despair is creeping in.

The REAS Foundation is seeking your support in hopes that we as a community can ease the burden of those who built this magnificent community. Your tax deductible contribution can literally mean the difference between having to forgo much needed prescriptions or daily meals in order to have the funds necessary to pay the heating bill. Rest assured this is not hyperbole; it is a fact of life that we witnessed much too frequently last winter. It is also a fact that the generosity of Sturbridge residents altered the course of events for many seniors last year, bringing relief and hope to those in need.

Once again, as the storm gathers, we turn to you in our efforts to ease the despair now mounting within our community. Please consider joining our 10K Circle of Friends, wherein we hope to raise $10,000 by way of a $10.00 contribution from 1000 residents. Bear in mind that no contribution is too small and we welcome any assistance you might be able to provide. Donations can be made directly though our website via PayPal at www.reasfoundation.org. Checks made payable to the REAS Foundation can be mailed to: REAS Foundation, P.O. Box 737, Fiskdale, MA, 01518. 

We thank you for your consideration as we endeavor to assist those qualifying Sturbridge seniors in need.

Thomas R. Creamer
Executive Director
REAS Foundation, Inc.

Sturbridge, MA – The REAS Foundation of Sturbridge announces the launch of the 2009-2010 10K Circle of Friends and 10K Circle of Businesses. These two fundraising appeals form the foundation of such efforts for the year. REAS predicts that applications for assistance this heating season will far surpass the many applications received last year. REAS asks that 1,000 Sturbridge families donate just $10 each – less than the cost of going out to lunch one day. This effort alone will raise $10,000 to aid qualifying Sturbridge seniors who cannot meet their utility costs.

Similar to the 10K Circle of Friends, Jennifer Morrison of Sterling Engineering has renewed her 10K Circle of Businesses challenge. Sterling Engineering will make a matching donation of 10% of any other business donation, up to a maximum donation from Sterling of $1,000. When asked why, in these lean times, Sterling was willing to offer this challenge again Morrison stated, “That’s precisely why. Times are tough for everyone, but even more so for those among us who are most vulnerable – our seniors. How can we not help?”

REAS asks all who are interested in donating to please mail their check directly to: REAS Foundation, PO Box 737, Fiskdale, MA 01518 and earmark it for the 10K Circle. Additional information and news on these and other events may be found at the REAS website: www.reasfoundation.org.

The national media is abuzz today with stories of an absolutely unnecessary tragedy in Bay City, Michigan wherein a 93 year old man literally froze to death in his home. Oakland County deputy chief medical examiner Kanu Virani who performed the autopsy, said that Marvin E. Schur died “a slow, painful death”.

The Bay City Times reported that neighbors who discovered the body indicated that the “indoor temperature was below 32 degrees at the time” they discovered his body.

It’s heartbreaking, disturbing, and absolutely inconceivable that a human being could become so lost in the system. It is also quite sadly, a fact of life.

The full storty (reported by the Associated Press) as found on MSNBC online follows. There is little to add as this tragedy speaks volumes all by itself. Read the rest of this entry »

The REAS Foundation, in partnership with Southbridge Savings Bank, Hometown Bank, and the Publick House has established a fund for Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Sisley - 54 Ridge Way, Sturbridge, MA - whose home was destroyed by fire January 15th.

Donations can be made directly at, or by mail to: Southbridge Savings Bank (200 Charlton Road, Sturbridge MA, 01566), Hometown Bank (331 Main Street, Sturbridge MA, 01566) or the REAS Foundation (PO Box 737, Fiskdale MA, 01518) and should be made payable to - Sisley Family Fire Fund.

Most of us can only imagine the magnitude of loss in witnessing the destruction of a life’s work. We labor each and every day to build a life for ourselves and our family, often sacrificing a great deal in order to provide for our children or other members of our family.

Our neighbors - the Sisley’s - are experiencing an incredible loss, in many respects the tangible sum total of their life’s efforts. We are a community that has repeatedly demonstrated its incredible compassion, humanity, and love via the countless acts of generosity conveyed on behalf of our most vulnerable neighbors.

We are now called to service in support of a family in great need; they have lost heir home, their beloved pets, and the physical momentos of an entire life.

Please consider your ability to assist the Sisley’s as they begin the long journey of rebuilding their lives. Those of us who are able to help, can take great pride in knowing that even the smallest contribution will go a long way towards helping to ease some portion of the burden, their journey will entail. Knowing that we are here, willing to share this journey may bring some level of comfort to our neighbors.

Thomas R. Creamer - Executive Director

We have developed a video pictorial that highlights some of our combined efforts on behalf of Sturbridge seniors. The support and encouragement of the multitude of Sturbridge residents and businesses, has been instrumental in restoring hope and comfort to many Sturbridge seniors. Without you, this dream would never have become reality.

We extend our deepest gratitude for the privilege you’ve granted us in affording us the honor of assisting Sturbridge seniors on YOUR behalf. We will remain ever vigilant in conducting our efforts in a manner that evokes pride in each of you who support us.

The link below will forward you to a temporary site hosting our pictorial in honor of all Sturbridge businesses and residents who have made this possible. Once at the site, simply press the PLAY button (bottom left of video box) and enjoy the video.

http://trcsgratitude.blogspot.com/

The following post is an article found in the December 25, 2008 Tantasqua Town Common. It was written by Matthew Bernat, of Turley Publications.

During J.T. Mills tenth birthday celebration, all the things you’d find at a typical adolescent lazer tag party were there: Food, fun and 13 of J.T.’s closest friends. But the only gift in sight was – that’s the thing, there were no gifts in sight.All of J.T.’s birthday loot - $260 in checks and cash – went to the Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors Foundation (REAS).

For some local families, deciding to skip the traditional birthday ritual of accepting gifts is part generosity lesson and part first line of defense against an ever mounting pile of toys that threaten to overtake free space. It’s an experiment where guests are asked to donate money or items to a charity chosen by their child. But it’s not that different from adults (who are not wanting) whose only request is attendance at birthday parties,anniversaries and other celebrations. Read the rest of this entry »

Recognizing the severity of damage caused by the ice storm which descended upon us Thursday evening (12/11/08), coupled with the delays in restoring power to the Leadmine/Finlay Road sections of Sturbridge/Fiskdale, the REAS Foundation - in direct concert with and under the coordination of, the Sturbridge Police Department - took the following steps to provide assistance to local residents.

On Friday evening and throughout Saturday, we secured several rooms with our partners at the Publick House at significant discounts for area residents. The strong support we have enjoyed from this historic Sturbridge venue continues to evolve, and we are extremely fortunate for their contributions within our community. Since then we have negotiated reduced rates with others. This has allowed us to place 8 residents locally as hotels have experienced an overflow of people affected by the storm and have been booked as far away as Chicopee. The rooms are paid for by the residents themselves.

Saturday evening we began door-to-door checks on residents in the area. This continues through today (Tuesday) as we have canvassed the entire area 3 times. Calvin Montigny has been tireless in reaching out to residents via our door to door status checks.

Sunday morning we secured complimentary hot shower and respite facilities at the Sturbridge Host Hotel for those affected by the storm. The Host stepped right up in responding to our request for assistance. Read the rest of this entry »