Mayor's Ball to raise funds for charity fund
By Angela Greiner Community Reporter

Marlborough - The Mayor's Charity Ball is held every two years as part of the newly elected mayor's inaugural ceremonies. Mayor Nancy Stevens, who was recently re-elected to serve a second term, will host it again this year.

The ball, which will take place Saturday April 5 at the Marlborough Best Western, is not only an evening of fun and fancy dress but, more importantly, is the prime fund-raising event for the Mayor's Charity Relief Fund. The fund was first estab- lished with the profits from the inaugural ball of Mayor Kusson J. Haddads in 1960.

The Charity Relief Fund is used to directly assist Marlborough residents in need.

"The fund is used to help residents who are facing short-term financial crises," said Karen Kisty, executive aide to the mayor.

Increasing demands that have been placed on the city's Human Services Department have made the money raised at events like the ball that much more important.

"So many of our neighbors are in need, and the money raised touches so many lives in a positive way," Stevens said.

Although the occasional hardship request does go directly to the mayor, the majority of the needs are first assessed by the city's Department of Human Services. After an interview to determine qualifications, all of the requests are then passed to the mayor, who uses her discretion to approve requests and disperse money.

"What the funds are used for runs the gamut," Kisty said.

She said that the financial needs are for a variety of circumstances from house fires to families facing longterm illnesses. Since 2002, the money raised for the charity fund has helped 300 families and organizations like the Marlborough Food Pantry.

"The Mayor's Ball draws people from all facets of the community who come together for a worthy cause," Stevens said. "As I have challenged our president in my recent inaugural address, we each should look for an opportunity to give back to our community. This is just one example."

During the ball, the mayor also bestows the Humanitarian of the Year award to a local resident nominated by fellow city residents. The award pays tribute to and recognizes residents for their selfless political and social service to the town.

With the ball still two months off , the co-chairs of the Mayor's Ball Committee are still in the process of collecting donated items from local retailers for raffles and silent auctions, and fi- nalizing the venues for the evening.

For more information about attending the event or to donate to the fund, contact the mayor's office at 508-460-3770.