Parents of a premature baby need help with expenses and other stories of people in need

The Giving Fund is mostly ended, with 110 cases of the 136 featured in this column completely funded as of Thursday, for a total of $61,835 in donations, said Bill Brucker, chief advancement officer for Greenwich-based Family Centers.

There have been some angels who have stepped up this year, Brucker said. Two donations of $5,000 each came from sources who wished to remain anonymous; another anonymous donor paid off $3,700 to settle several requests and one donor paid for the first 10 cases for a total of $4,650.

“We still have a little bit to go,” Brucker said. “We need another $5,000 to $6,000 to fully cover every case that was published. We’re ahead of last year — we had $59,890 at this time — I think we just need one more push. This is a very giving community and, year over year, we have people in greater Stamford and Greenwich who read these cases and really dig deep to help their neighbors in need and that’s really outstanding.”

“The support from the community is a wonderful gift,” added Lauren Franciamore, Chief Programs Officer for Darien-based Person to Person.

Now in its 40th year, the Giving Fund, co-sponsored by Hearst Connecticut Media, Family Centers and Person to Person, tells the stories of local residents in need of a helping hand. The goal is to provide small monetary donations to families striving to cover the cost of necessities, from rent and utilities to transportation costs and medical bills — or even winter clothes and food.

Here are the stories of five new neighbors in need and a selection of already published cases that still need to be fulfilled. The names have been changed to protect the participants’ privacy.

Case 237: John became ill after experiencing slight discomfort while working and had to be rushed by ambulance to the emergency room. After undergoing several tests and X-rays, doctors discovered that his appendix burst and he needed immediate surgery. A $900 gift will help cover his rent for a month while he recuperates.

Case 238: Betty is a single parent of two. She works full-time and will be completing her bachelor’s degree in May. A Giving Fund gift will allow Betty to purchase clothing for her two daughters ages 12 and 17, and finally get them the gaming system they have been wishing for. “My daughters deserve the world, they are good children and work hard in school,” Betty said. A grant of $824 will allow Betty to spread some belated holiday cheer and focus on her kids.

Case 239: Nicole is a single parent who works as a pharmacy tech. Recently, while driving to work, her car broke down on the freeway,

Giving continues on A13