Friends and donors gathered in May for the Lend A Hand Society (LAH) Spring Event to celebrate a year of accomplishments made possible by our generous supporters. The event was an opportunity to recognize LAH donors and enjoy a wine-tasting and hors d’oeuvres in the historic College Club, reflecting founder Edward Everett Hale’s era. Guests viewed unique historical photos and a prototype statue of Edward Everett Hale, crafted by Bela Pratt, which later became the permanent Hale statue in the Public Garden.
President Erica Harmon’s opening remarks focused on the history and mission of LAH and Executive Director Nancy Cooper delivered a presentation on the emergency assistance program, emphasizing the outsized impact this past year’s grants had on clients’ lives. In 2023, LAH provided 465 emergency assistance grants totaling $237,022 in collaboration with over 120 partner agencies.
The featured speaker was Laura Rosi, Esq., Chief Executive Officer at Housing Families, one of LAH’s partner agencies. Rosi delivered a detailed slide presentation describing the important work Housing Families does in the Malden/Medford/Everett community to assist families in crisis. [For more information on Housing Families’ work, see the spotlight about their programs in a separate LAH article.]
Rosi thanked Lend A Hand Society on behalf of Housing Families, for providing support through emergency assistance grants and helping them make a difference in the lives of those in need.