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The Lyme-Old Lyme Coronavirus Relief Fund was established yesterday by both towns and Lymes’ Youth Services Bureau in an effort to help those in need during this unprecedented state of emergency.
“We’ve already helped homebound people with groceries, a family with diapers and one resident pay a portion of her rent,” said Mary Seidner, the director of Lymes’ Youth Services Bureau. “This is for residents of both communities and donations are coming in from both communities, it really is a unified effort.”
The fund will be jointly managed by Seidner and the Social Services Coordinators in Lyme and Old Lyme. To request assistance, a resident can fill out a form on either of the towns’ websites.
“We expect the need to be great, but right now we are prioritizing the short term needs such as food, fuel and housing,” Seidner said.
Shortly after the fund was established, Rick Stout and Tom Britt of Benchmark Wealth Management pledged to match all donations on a one-to-one basis up to $10,000.
“So, for now, if you donate your gift will basically be doubled,” Seidner said.
If somebody would like to donate to the fund they can submit a payment online or send a check to LYSB.
“LYSB already had a fund that helped people in need, but we wanted to have a special fund for this crisis,” Seidner said. “100% of donations to this fund will go to supporting the effort.”