MONROE, CT — Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home made a $20,025 donation to the town’s Project Warmth program, which helps bridge the gap in energy assistance programs for Monroe families struggling to pay their heating and other utility bills.
Chris Farrugio, manager of the funeral home, and Wendy Grasso, who is in charge of community relations for the business, presented a check to Monroe Community and Social Services Director Kim Cassia at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Fling at Osteria Romana restaurant Thursday evening.
The grant was paid through the Neighborhood Assistance Act, which offers tax credits to businesses that make financial contributions to municipal and tax-exempt organizations.
“This year, we were able to give a substantial grant to Project Warmth,” Grasso said. “It really made my heart smile. We were able to give to a program I was personally involved in.”
Grasso has served on the Project Warmth Committee in town as far back as 2009. She recalled all of the fundraisers she’d been involved in, including a party to “turn up the heat,” a trick or trunk, a Halloween pumpkin carving contest and a wine tasting event.
Grasso said Spadaccino added $25 to their $20,000 donation, because the year is 2025.
She called Cassia up to the front of the room. “Thank you for what you do,” Grasso told Cassia, “and we’re proud to be able to support you.”
Cassia praised the funeral home for helping social services in town, adding the business also supports TRIAD’s Dog Days of Summer event, in which Monroe Senior Center patrons see a police K-9 demonstration and have hot dogs for lunch.
“We just can’t thank you enough,” Cassia said. “Project Warmth started many, many years ago. There’s programs out there that people apply to, but while they’re waiting to get approved, their oil runs out. If we can give them a hundred gallons of oil or some propane …”
“The biggest thing right now is the electric company changed their program and people who are put on hardship, come May 1st, if you don’t meet certain requirements, you get that shutoff notice,” Cassia said. “Right now, we have saved three people from being shut off.”
Cassia said Monroe Social Services is constantly getting calls from people who need help. “Whatever we can do to help the residents of our community, we do,” she said.
Cassia said the Social Services coordinator and Elder Services coordinator handle all of the applications and send payments directly to the vendor.
Farrugio said Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home previously gave a $20,000 grant to Pacific House, a homeless shelter in Stamford, through the Neighborhood Assistance Act before making the donation to Project Warmth.
“I’ve been involved with Project Warmth since I was manager of the funeral home,” said Farrugio, who joined Spadaccino 12 years ago. “I think it’s very important for the community. We have to help our seniors and the community.”
Monroe Chamber of Commerce President Ray Giovanni expressed his appreciation to the funeral home for being a Chamber member and for its donation to Project Warmth.
“They’re always loyal supporters of anything that goes on in Monroe and our great Monroe community,” Giovanni said. “They’re there with their people. They’re there with their resources.”
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
