November 9th, 2004 - "A Smile for the
Boston First Fund"
Dear friend of the Masonic Angel Fund,
Most readers are by now familiar with the Boston First Fund, a "partnership"
Masonic Angel Fund sponsored by the Lodges in Massachusetts' First Masonic
District and charged with the challenging mission of helping children in the
immediate Boston area.
One of the principal groups served by the "BFF" is the ABCD Head Start program
that serves young children in the metro Boston area. Today we received the note
below from the North End Head Start program:
"Dear Boston First Fund,
I am sending this letter of thanks for your kind assistance in the amount of
$150. The money was used to buy clothing for a child in our North End Head Start
Program who was in need of fall and winter clothing. The child was coming to
school dressed inappropriately and due to frequent accidents at school, has used
his supply of clothing at home. This has been a great help to the mother and on
behalf of the mom and myself, I would like to say thank you.
Due to your kind assistance, we were able to purchase pants, sweaters, a winter
jacket, scarf, boots and sneakers for the child. Attached is a copy of the slips
proving proof of purchase. It is wonderful to know there is such a place who
would help a family in such need. I am looking forward to working with you in
the future. Thank you again.
Marilyn Frissora, Program Administrator
North End Head Start"
Attached to this letter were sales receipts from Marshalls and Payless
Shoesource that total $156.36.
This is a nice example of the good work done by the Boston First Fund.
The receipts tell a story of the "value for the dollar" we get when our
professional partners in the schools and other agencies go shopping for a child
in need. First of all, the math tells us that Ms. Frissora paid a modest overage
out of her own pocket. Then we look at the receipts. Everything on the Marshalls
receipt appears to be a clearance-priced item. Ms. Frissora purchased thirteen
items at Marshalls with the most expensive - probably the winter coat - costing
only $19.99. The footwear receipts from Payless Shoe Source shoe sneakers and
boots that cost a total of $21.49 - one of the items was on sale for 50% off.
Once in a while a new Masonic Angel Fund trustee will ask us about our
experiences in sending a nurse, teacher or social worker out to buy clothes for
a little girl or boy. We are proud to point to stories like this one to show how
aggressively these professionals leverage MAF dollars to get the most they can
for the child in need.
So today we offer a big tip of the "MAF halo" to the Boston First Fund and to
the staff of the ABCD Head Start program. Together they are making a difference
for Boston's children in need.
Regards to all,
Bob Fellows
Co-Founder/Board Secretary
Masonic Angel Foundation, Inc.