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The Major Crisis Relief Fund Receives Largest Donation from Cape Cod Healthcare

(HYANNIS, MA – January 30, 2017)– The Cape Cod and Islands Major Crisis Relief Fund (MCRF) has received a $50,000 grant from Cape Cod Healthcare (CCHC) to bolster its post-disaster safety net program for the community.

“We are supportive of the Major Crisis Relief Fund effort and are prepared to work with them and other emergency responders to make sure everyone in our community gets the help they need in the event of a disaster,” said Michael K. Lauf, President and CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare. “Cape Cod Healthcare has a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan, which is periodically reviewed and drilled by the appropriate departments and individuals within the system. The MCRF will be another step in this preparedness process.”

The MCRF was launched by the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, Inc. in August 2016 as a nonprofit disaster response program that provides humanitarian aid to local individuals and families.  The program’s mission is to address the critical, long-term needs of the community that are unmet by traditional forms of private and public aid after a natural or man-made disaster.

“We would go into action after other disaster agencies have left the area, and it could be for the long-haul,” said Judy Walden Scarafile, MCRF Managing Director.

The MCRF is a program of the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, Inc., and the parameters and criteria of this fund were designed by a sub-committee of the Needy Fund board and other local volunteers.

“The mission arises out of the experiences of communities in New York and New Jersey after Super Storm Sandy hit the region in 2012,” said Scarafile.  “Many individuals and families affected by the storm had long-term needs after the storm, which lingered after the initial emergency response by state and federal agencies. We want to help local residents get back to normal, even a ‘new normal,’ and that may be a long-term situation.  Safe, temporary housing and transportation may be the keys the getting Cape Cod and the Islands back on their feet.”

The group is focusing on fundraising and public awareness and is seeking to educate the public prior to a disaster.

The MCRF fundraising goal is $1 million, and, with the CCHC grant, has now surpassed $250,000. To donate to the fund, or learn more about the MCRF, visit majorcrisisrelieffund.com or contact Judy Scarafile at JudyScarafile@gmail.com.

The Cape Cod and Islands Major Crisis Relief Fund (MCRF) is a disaster response program of the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, Inc. that will provide humanitarian aid to local individuals and families in the recovery phase of a disaster. MCRF aims to fill existing gaps in preparing for and responding to major crises—including natural disasters, such as hurricanes and blizzards, and man-made crises, such as health epidemics and terrorism. Services will include financial aid for food, housing, transportation, and medical/mental healthcare. MCRF will respond to critical needs that are unmet by traditional forms of private and public disaster aid, and the program’s main focus will be on long-term recovery assistance. For more information, call 508-362-4467, email MCRF@NeedyFund.org, or visit www.majorcrisisrelieffund.com.

 

Cape Cod Healthcare is the leading provider of healthcare services for residents and visitors of Cape Cod. With more than 450 physicians, 5,300 employees and 790 volunteers, Cape Cod Healthcare has two acute care hospitals, the Cape’s leading provider of homecare and hospice services (VNA), a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, an assisted living facility, the Cape’s only local laboratory service and numerous health programs. For more information, visit Cape Cod Healthcare’s web site at www.capecodhealth.org. Cape Cod Healthcare. Visit our health news site www.capecodhealthnews.com for the latest in relevant and credible healthcare news.

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