LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Dear Editor,

Thank you for the service you provide to keep the Westwood community informed. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the people of Westwood for their continued generosity and support of the Westwood Community Chest (WCC).

Each year, we are reminded of what makes our town so special – the way neighbors quietly and consistently look out for one another. Earlier this month, we mailed our annual appeal asking residents to support our mission of helping neighbors in temporary financial crisis. Donations have started coming in – often accompanied by personal notes of thanks that a volunteer-run organization like the WCC exists to provide a safety net when unexpected hardship strikes.

This support is more important than ever because the need in our community is growing as many households face rising costs and short-term financial instability. In the first quarter of our current fiscal year (July–September 2025), the WCC distributed $44,500 in confidential emergency assistance to 32 Westwood households. These grants helped families cover essential expenses such as rent and utilities. The application process is confidential.

We want to remind residents that the WCC is here to help. If you, or someone you know, is facing temporary financial hardship, or if you would like to learn more about our work or how to support it, please visit westwoodcommunitychest.org.

We are proud to live in a town where compassion is not just a value, but a daily practice. Thank you to everyone who helps ensure that Westwood remains a place where all residents can thrive and feel supported – truly, a community of neighbors helping neighbors.

Warm Regards,

Stacy Simpson and Anne Cloherty Fortune

Co-Presidents

Westwood Community Chest

Thanks to Stacy Simpson, Anne Cloherty Fortune, and Westwood Community Chest for contributing these comments to Westwood Minute.  Westwood Community Chest is a volunteer-run nonprofit that provides confidential grant assistance  and summer camp scholarships to Westwood residents in need of assistance.

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