CHARITABLE WORK - Beneficiary Program

St. George’s Society provides monthly stipends to the elderly and the handicapped of British and Commonwealth origins in the New York metropolitan area. It supplements inadequate incomes, provides necessary services to those housebound, repatriates, provides cremation and interment, and makes grants for incidentals to people in hospitals or nursing facilities to make their stay more comfortable.

At present, we have approximately 70 beneficiaries in the New York metropolitan area who receive an average of $5,000 a year from St. George’s Society. Most often when support is granted to elderly beneficiaries it is for their lifetime. Occasionally, a beneficiary’s circumstances improve but, more typically, they do not change and the Society’s aid increases over time. Our goal is to increase outreach to help more people.

One of our oldest beneficiaries, Betty O., died in March 2009. She was at home with her family. She lived a full life with happiness and sadness. She lost her first husband at the start of World War II. He was in the RAF and died soon after their marriage in 1940. She came to the United States, married a second time and had a daughter. Her daughter, Sally, wrote a moving letter to Executive Director John Shannon that reflects the mission of the St. George's Society:

"It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to you today. I am sure that by this time Mary Lamasney has told you of the passing of my very dear mother Betty O. I feel a strong need to write you and tell you just how much St. George's Society and all the many people who dealt with Mum over the years meant to her. Even though Mum was an American, she never lost her love, admiration and wonderful memories of being British. She felt proud and honored to be recognized by St. George's and that recognition made her feel she was directly associated with England. Every month when her check arrived, or at Holiday time when a special check and gift came, she always marveled at the way your organization had of helping people without making them feel that they were charity cases. Your people allowed her the benefit of accepting help while still maintaining her dignity, and that is something I was so grateful for. Mum was a proud woman till the end and keeping her dignity in all situations and circumstances was something she cherished. May the Good Lord grant long life and good health to everyone involved with your wonderful organization and I hope you continue giving to other beneficiaries the same wonderful feeling you gave Betty. Sally V.”