Understanding the challenges families have endured over the past several months as they navigate life during the pandemic, including the loss of income and healthcare coverage, and the inability to pay for rent, heat, or food, Maine businessman, author, and healthcare activist Donato J. Tramuto is dispersing a total of $10,000 through his non-profit, the Tramuto Foundation, to families in need this holiday season.

Tramuto and Foundation co-founder Jeff Porter talked to their board members, who quickly agreed that they would establish the Inspire Chat Holiday Fund, named after bi-monthly conference calls that Tramuto launched at the start of the pandemic with friends, grant partners, past scholarship recipients, and anyone interested in connecting with others. These calls have been a lifeline for so many individuals who feel isolated and alone as they practice the social distancing protocols, or what Tramuto has called “the new abnormal.”

“On last week’s Inspire Chat, I was sharing with everyone how, on a daily basis, I have a conversation with someone who has been personally devastated or knows someone whose life has been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tramuto said. “Maybe it’s a good friend or a member of their family who is in the hospital with no insurance coverage, or it’s someone who has lost their job and income in the past year, but it is clear the impact of this virus has touched everyone.”

The Inspire Chat Holiday Fund will provide gift cards to families in need. Individuals and families must be identified by Saturday, December 19th, to receive the gift card in time for Christmas.

Please email Tramuto Foundation Vice President of Stakeholder partnership, Katie Eaton at kathryn.eaton@healthevillages.org by December 19th and provide a simple explanation as to why the individual or family is in need, along with their mailing address. If the request is approved, the applicant will be notified, and a gift card will be mailed in time for arrival by Christmas.