Putting $7,500 of his own money into the till, State Sen. Sal DiDomenico hosted a Facebook fundraiser on Wednesday night that was expected to bring in more funds to the One Chelsea Fund.
DiDomenico said he was to host the fundraiser Wednesday night, and would be welcoming Rafael Mares of TND, Roseann Bongiovanni of GreenRoots and Gladys Vega of the Chelsea Collaborative.
“We’re doing this because the need in the community is so great,” he said. “The reason why the fund is so important and we’re raising money for it is to get money into the hands of people who aren’t getting City and state resources. This fund is being overseen by these three organizations and they know how to get the money in to the right hands. It’s definitely a great way to get money into the hands of residents that need it the most.”
His effort is one of several efforts he and other leaders in the city have been undertaking over the last several weeks as the situation in Chelsea has spiraled greatly. Working with the governor and others, he said he has been able to steer resources to Chelsea – dedicating most of his entire staff to working with him on Chelsea issues.
“I have been communicating on a regular basis with the governor and in constant communication with Tom Ambrosino, Council President Roy Avellaneda and working to direct resources to the City of Chelsea’s effort to control the virus. That involves advocacy, fund-raising, getting diapers and formula and working with the non-profits like GreenRoots and the Collaborative to get resources in their hands.”
Right now, in the Legislature, he has been advocating in the state Supplemental Budget to increase funding to the Greater Boston Food Bank of more than $6 million. Additionally, he is pushing a bill that would give a one-time payment to residents in deep poverty, with communities like Chelsea emphasized as their suffering is disproportionately higher. There has already been a public hearing on that one and it has moved fast through the Senate process.
“I have also been talking with the governor regularly to tackle the pandemic in a more regional way,” he said.
Additionally, he also said it has been an important discussion with Gov. Baker to make sure Chelsea gets more than its share in any regional or statewide plan – as the impact is felt much greater here than anywhere else.
“I’ve dedicated my entire staff to making sure Chelsea gets more than its share,” he said. “I believe there should not be an equal distribution of resources and I’ve told the governor that. Chelsea has more needs right now. It isn’t about equity, but addressing the need at hand.”
He said he will emphasize how much everyone has stepped up in Chelsea, and he has been proud to serve alongside those trying to organize and deliver services.
“The City Manager, City Council and non-profits and City government have really stepped up for the residents of Chelsea,” he said. “I want to thank the governor and his Administration for the resources that have come our way. I thank him for his willingness to step up and help when there is such a tremendous need in Chelsea.”