REAS Foundation Welcomes Charlton Chapter
The REAS Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of a Chapter in Charlton, MA.
Concerned about the burden shouldered by seniors balancing the challenges of energy, food, and medical costs against the diminished purchasing power of fixed incomes, a group of Charlton residents began exploring options for assisting seniors.
Lead by Charlton Police Chief James Pervier and Charlton Council on Aging Director Elaine Kingston, the group examined various mechanisms over the last two months for providing energy assistance to qualifying Charlton seniors.Those efforts, more and more began to parallel the approach taken in Sturbridge through the REAS Foundation, and ultimately lead to discussions favoring the establishment of a REAS Chapter in Charlton.
Over the last several weeks, representatives from Charlton and Sturbridge have worked closely together in transitioning from a conceptual proposal to the creation of the Charlton chapter.
REAS Foundation Executive Director – Thomas R. Creamer, expressed his “gratitude for the efforts of all involved” and particularly noted “the extensive work done by Charlton representatives well in advance of any discussions between Charlton and the REAS Foundation”. Mr. Creamer noted “the REAS Foundation merely became a vehicle for channeling all of the hard work already done by Chief Pervier, Elaine Kingston, Lt. Carl Ekman, Jayne Vranos, and others on behalf of Charlton seniors.
Ms. Kingston, who has been appointed as Chapter Director stated that she “is thrilled and excited at the prospects of being able to provide much needed energy assistance to qualifying Charlton seniors”. She went on to say that, “we’ve been working at this over the last two months, and it’s rewarding to see it come to fruition.” Ms. Kingston also announced that Southbridge Savings Bank has “indicated its intention to provide the Chapter with a $2000 start-up donation”, matching its donation to the REAS Foundation when it was established in Sturbridge this past July.
Chief Pervier, who led many of the discussions, stated he was “gratified that we have arrived at this point and can now begin the work of education, fundraising, and distribution of grants to qualifying seniors”. Chief Pervier added that “during an unstable economy, our seniors, many of whom live on limited fixed incomes barely able to keep pace with rising costs, will become significantly more vulnerable during these economic downturns. This Chapter provides us an additional tool with which to address those concerns.
REAS Foundation Chairman of the Board – Scott Garieri – offered his congratulations to the group in Charlton, “welcoming the Chapter into the REAS family”. Mr. Garieri added that “this is an exciting opportunity for residents and seniors in Charlton to address a local issue with a local solution, as all funds raised in Charlton will remain in Charlton just as they do in Sturbridge. Our fundamental approach at REAS is a community-centered solution wherein local people help local people; in this case, it will be Charlton People – Helping Charlton People and that keeps ownership within the community.”
Information about the Charlton Chapter can be obtained by calling 508-434-4402 , by email at infocharlton@reasfoundation.org, or by visiting their website at http://www.reasfoundation.org/charlton.