WESTFIELD-Three generations of the Wilcox family have worked alongside countless community members to ensure that the Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc. trust fund remains healthy and continues a mission – to support services in the Westfield area that benefit seniors.
On Friday morning, Michael Roeder, president of Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc., and Robert R. Wilcox, treasurer, met to review the agenda items for the Sarah Gillett Foundation Annual Meeting of Corporators slated May 10 at the Westfield Senior Center.
Michael Roeder, president of Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc., reviews agenda items for the May 10 annual meeting of corporators with Robert R. Wilcox, treasurer.
Wilcox said his grandfather, Mal Wilcox, was a member of the board of trustees when a stately home at 41 Broad St. – the Sarah Gillett Home for Aged People – was sold for $48,550. That amount became the base endowment for Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc.
“My father, Scott Wilcox, also became a board member over the years,” said Wilcox, adding he joined the board in 1995. “Being a member of this foundation has been very rewarding.”
Roeder noted that Gillett was born Sarah Jane Dickinson in Amherst, the daughter of Nathan Dickinson, in 1830.
In her June 1904 obituary, it was noted she married Darwin L. Gillett, a leading citizen and dry goods merchant, and the couple had one son, Ralph D. Gillett, who also became prominent in business in Westfield and Pittsfield. She was a resident of Westfield for many years and was active in the church and the social life of the town. She died at the age of 74.
In 1907, her son obtained the home at 41 Broad St. and shortly thereafter the charitable corporation was named The Sarah Gillett Home for Aged People. The home was used for that purpose until 1970, when it was sold.
While few details are available about Gillett, her legacy in Westfield of being a “generous, kind, and helpful woman whose life was full of good works,” lives on as a myriad of nonprofit groups receive “grants” each year that support programs for local seniors, according to Roeder.
Since joining the board, Wilcox noted he has “learned so much” about the needs of seniors in the community.
“I have had a paradigm shift on how I view the world,” said Wilcox. “You learn so much by listening to the requests of organizations and have a level of gratitude for those working with seniors.”
Roeder echoed those sentiments.
“I became involved about five years ago,” said Roeder. “I was stunned when I heard about all of the services for seniors and how much in demand the programs were. I felt I wanted to be a part of this organization.”
Each year, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to request grants by showing that their services for seniors (55 and older) have a strong concentration in Westfield, Southwick and the hill towns.
The all-volunteer board of trustees listens intently to each organization’s request.
“This year we will distribute $50,000 from the trust fund to 23 service providers from the greater Westfield area,” said Roeder, adding the requests for assistance had actually totaled $60,000.
“We would love to fill the gap when it occurs through donations from the community,” said Roeder.
Since the establishment of the trust fund in 1970, more than $1 million has been granted for services that improve the quality of life and health for local seniors, according to Wilcox.
“We have a committee that reviews a three-year moving average of the trust fund balance,” said Wilcox. “To protect the principal, we must be conservative with our fiduciary responsibility and decide whether to take 5%, 6% or 7% each year to fulfill grant requests.”
In recent years, the trust fund has provided financial support to a wide range of organizations including the Westfield Council on Aging, Mercy Adult Day Health, Russell Council on Aging, local food banks, the YMCA of Greater Westfield for senior activities, Huntington Council on Aging, and the Westfield High School Band that hosts a senior luncheon.
“The services and programs offered in the greater Westfield area are vast for seniors and we also like to connect with organizations that have a social aspect which allows individuals to leave their homes and socialize with others,” said Wilcox.
Roeder concurred.
“Being a member of the board allows you to see the real work being done in the community and how it touches the lives of seniors,” said Roeder.
Foundation officers in addition to Roeder and Wilcox include Hilda Colon, vice president, Peter H. Martin, secretary, and David E. Woodford, grant coordinator.
The board of trustees, in addition to Roeder and Wilcox, include Hilda Colon, Stephen A. Hagen, Douglas James, Constance Kellogg, Holly Lurgio, Peter H. Martin, Debra J. Michaud, Kathryn Milligan, Margaret McLennan and David E. Woodford.
Members of the trust fund oversight committee include Margaret McLennan, chairperson, Stephen A. Hagen, Douglas James, Patricia Steele-Perkins and Wilcox.
“We are always looking for individuals to get involved,” said Roeder, adding there are also 60 corporators who meet once a year.
Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization and donations are welcomed. Donations can be made through the website – www.SarahGillett.org – or by mailing a check to Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc., P.O. Box 1871, Westfield, MA 01086-1871.
For more information on any aspect of the foundation, call Roeder at (413) 207-2399 or visit the website.
