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NBC News
BLOCK ISLAND, RI -- For more than half a century, Mary Donnelly -- still toiling as a state nurse at the spry age of 83 -- has helped nurse fellow Islanders back to health after surgeries, difficult pregnancies and countless other ailments.
But when she saw how her neighbors -- the 1,000 or so who live on the island year-round -- were struggling financially, especially through the winter months, Donnelly wanted to help.
The Mary D. Fund was established in 1979. Donnelly is the lone administrator. The non-profit raises money every year -- the Mary D. Ball in August is the social event of the season -- and helps locals pay for everything from mortgage payments to doctors' and electricity bills when they can't.
Donnelly's popularity tends to surge when the jet-setters who crowd this quaint New England getaway from Memorial Day to Labor Day head home. "Closed" signs suddenly dot storefront windows, streets empty, quiet settles in.
Making ends meet becomes a real test of discipline and faith for many residents who stick around past tourist season.
"So, it's a hard time," Donnelly says. "They're either running stores or restaurants or taxis or whatever. But then, as you can see down at the taxi stand, it's just empty now.
"So they have, they have a problem."
But she's got the checkbook. Last year, Donnelly put more than $50,000 worth of assistance in its registry.
And while she doesn't approve every request for aid, when she does, it usually comes with a caveat or two about how to stretch budgets and survive life on the island.
After all, she's done it for 53 years. On a nurse's pay.
Click here to help the Mary D. Fund or write your tax-deductible check to "Mary D Fund" and mail it to: P.O. Box 323, Block Island, RI 02807.
Leave a Comment:
Yeah Ken,those 'donkeys' could learn from her....but not the Jackass GOP!
Brian Williams introduced this piece saying that the real name of this island is "New Shoreham." Unfortunately, its real name is Block Island, and New Shoreham is a town on Block Island. I expected better from Brian.
Block Island is a timeless place, Mary D is a timeless lady!
Bless you Mary D. BI and RI are blessed to have you. Thank you for doing God's work and being a great neighbor.
I thought Brian Williams owned a home on The Block...
Brian: Great lead in. Ron: Excellent story and photography. But the real praise and awards go to Mary. Thank you for everything that you have done, and hope to see you soon.
Doug and Marty Gilpin, Charlottesville, VA. and Block Island
To my knowlegde the Mary D fund was originally instituted to help the widows and dependents of the fisherman on Block Island who were surviving on minimal funds throught the winter as well as other residents who may be down on their luck. Mary recognized a need to take care of these folks who could not afford the cost of heating their homes, paying their taxes, etc, due to a lack of income. Most of her original beneficiaries were long time Islanders who never had the opportunity to participate in the Social Security/Medicare system so that their assets were eaten up quickly. My Mother, a born Islander, donates every year to this worthy cause.
Yes, I am an English Major who mispelled "knowledge"!!!!
Thank you MOTHER Mary.
LOVE YOU AND ALL...yours.
As I posted on FB...get in touch with Billy Joel for funding (hopefully)...after all, he did write a wonderful song mentioning Block Island...
And, a deep thank you to Mary...
I do love Block Island...
Of course, she is a state nurse, the type of lazy government worker whose job the Republicans would like to ax....