First Wellesley Coronavirus Grant Of 2021 Goes To Voter Education

WELLESLEY, MA — Wellesley's COVID-19 Relief Fund granted its first round of funding to educating voters about Wellesley’s annual election on March 2 and assisting residents

through all phases of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

The COVID-19 Relief Fund was established in April 2020 to help meet unprecedented needs in the
community caused by COVID-19. In the past year, the fund awarded nearly $117,000 to local
non-profits and Town of Wellesley departments for programs and activities supporting our at-risk and most vulnerable residents.

Grant money will go to the League of Women Voters of Wellesley for their election education campaign. Money awarded to the League will support outreach to all voters with information to help them make informed choices when casting ballots for the Annual Town Election on March 2. This year, the League is hosting a virtual Meet the Candidates Night on February 11 and mailing a postcard to all residents to make sure they’re aware of important dates leading up to the election
and familiar with the many changes to elections resulting from COVID-19.

Grant money will also go to the Health Department's COVID-19 vaccine efforts. Health officials have committed to vaccinating residents through Phase Three of the state rollout. Money awarded to the Health Department will help with planning and logistics for community vaccine clinics. Right now no local clinic dates are scheduled in Wellesley, but the department wants to be ready when the state increases the vaccine allotment to local boards of health.