Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | FROM PAGE 8 Helping the Vet During these challenging times, your local Veterans’ Service Officers (VSOs) would like to share some information on a benefit program that is available to those who qualify. If you are a Veteran or the surviving spouse of a Veteran, the “Chapter 115 Benefits Program” is a Massachusetts state initiative that provides financial aid for Veterans and/or their surviving spouses who reside in Massachusetts and meet certain income and asset guidelines. Benefits may include monthly ordinary benefits and/or payment/reimbursement for medical expenses. Whether you are laid off, in transition or living on a fixed income, the program is designed to provide shortterm or long-term assistance as needed to provide relief. The program is overseen by the Massachusetts Department Veterans’ Services (DVS), which runs the program in partnership with local VSOs. Every town or district in Massachusetts has a VSO. VSOs assist Veterans and their dependents in learning about, applying for and receiving Chapter 115 benefits. VSOs can also help you in applying for other benefits and connecting with local resources. Your local VSO handles applications, obtains program approval from DVS and provides local benefits. The program is funded by a combination of state and local funds. DVS pays for 75% of the approved benefits and your city or town pays for 25%. There are income and asset limits for the program. As a general rule, income and asset requirements are: Family of 1 – monthly income less than $2,081and an asset limit of $5,000. Family of 2 – monthly income less than $2,818 and an asset limit of $9,800. To determine if you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Chapter 115 program, visit the following link and follow the instructions – https://massvetben.org/ – or call your local VSO for more information. The VSOs are also able to help Veterans apply for Federal VA benefits and local benefits and provide food assistance monthly. For example, did you know that if you own a home and have a VA service–connected disability, you are eligible for a partial or full exemption of your property taxes? “Please contact your local Veterans’ Service Officer for more information on any of the services mentioned. We are all here to assist. We are regularly checking voicemails and emails as we continue to work remotely and in our offices throughout COVID-19.” Melrose: Karen Burke,781-979-4186, kburke@cityofmelrose.org Wakefield: David Mangan, 781-246-6377, dmangan@wakefield.ma.us Saugus: Jay Pinette, 781-231-4010, jpinette@saugus-ma.gov Buy a brick to honor your vets “Veterans Buy-a-Brick Program. Due to the low number of orders and the uncertainty of how a Veterans Day ceremony will be allowed, the program will be extended until May. The installation of bricks will be during the Memorial Day ceremony. We will be contacting the people who have already purchased a brick. Any questions, please call 781-231-7995.” Side Door Pickup at the Saugus Public Library To help keep the building and staff warmer during the winter, the Saugus UNSUNG HERO | FROM PAGE 2 pantries. Gianni has been preparing to kick off his Spring Service campaign to benefit children facing economic challenges and homelessness through Cradles to Crayons. He will REPLACING | FROM PAGE 6 in difficult districts, has a track record of raising student achievement and thinking outside the box, and her social worker beginnings are GARDENS | FROM PAGE 9 more trees and to promote appreciation of the benefits of trees. To achieve tree city status, cities and towns must have a community tree ordinance, have a tree board or department, celebrate Arbor Day, and spend at least $2.00 per capita on urban forestry. The Saugus Tree Committee arranged the planting of approximately 60 trees in public places in Saugus last year, more than in any previous year. Members of the Saugus Tree CommitPublic Library moved its Front Door Pickup service from Central Street to Taylor Street in mid-December. Patrons are required to place items on hold via the library’s online catalog and then, once notified that their item(s) are ready, schedule a pickup date. Pickup times remain the same: Tuesday: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. “In addition to the slight change in location, the library has made it easier for its patrons to retrieve their items. Instead of waiting for a librarian to place your item on the table, we’ll place all scheduled holds on a table in the Taylor Street hallway. All you’ll have to do is walk in (one at a time, please, and don’t forget to wear a mask!) and retrieve the bag with your name on it.” The library also provides remote printing pickup and take & make crafts from the Taylor Street hallway. “And should you need assistance, a librarian will be standing by to help. “Fast, simple, and easy!” For more information on this and other services, visit http://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org. Let’s hear it! Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been over five years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@comcast.net. Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15- to 20-minute interview while practicing social distancing outside a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coffee. Or, if you prefer to be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation copes with the Coronavirus crisis. be collecting new and gently used children’s clothing from size newborn to youth large size 10/12. The clothing drive will take place from May 10 to May 21. Donations can be dropped off curbside by the tent drop box at 34 Atlantic Ave., or if you have a donawell suited to our post-covid recovery. “The second is her personal approach. She didn’t polish her answers. She spoke honestly about mistakes made, took credit for achievements she tee have donated time to water the new trees regularly, since last summer and this spring have both been unusually dry seasons. This Arbor Day, Nancy Prag and Tim Hawkes will install the plaque for the new tree that has been planted near the Cliftondale Fire Station adjacent to the bike trail in memory of Judy Hoffman. Next month, Joyce Rodenhiser will read a book about trees to children at the library, getting kids involved in appreciating trees. Many people in town will be celebrating this holiday tion to be picked up, you can email: kidsdonationpickup@ gmail.com. For more information on Cradles to Crayons or Project 351, access https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/ and https://project351.org/. took personal pride in, wasn’t afraid to say when she didn’t have an answer, and was open about being a collaborative leader but capable of making firm decisions. What you see is what you get.” by planting a new tree, or at least by enjoying and feeling grateful for the trees in their community. Editor’s Note: Laura Eisener is a landscape design consultant who helps homeowners with landscape design, plant selection and placement of trees and shrubs, as well as perennials. She is a member of the Saugus Garden Club and offered to write a series of articles about “what’s blooming in town” shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was inspired after seeing so many people taking up walking.
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