The Community Emergency Fund Program

The Reformed Church of America has called each church to "build community and reach out in mission both locally and globally" and the Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie is answering.

A fund has been established by the Reformed Church as a tax-exempt, charitable program to assist those who are in critical financial need. This fund, the Community Emergency Fund, will collect monies from donor sources and issue payments to bills related to the emergency situation being funded. One hundred percent of donated funds will reach the intended need, as all administrative costs will be donated by the church.

Pastor Geehan notes, "This is another way our church is reaching out to assist people in our community who have experienced critical emergency financial needs that are not available from normal sources and must be satisfied through the concern and generosity of the public."

To be eligible for participation in the fund, applicants must have a critical financial need that is not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or any other individual or company sponsored insurance program.

To inquire about the Community Emergency Fund Program, contact our church office.

The 2004 Maria Burn Fund

The Maria Burn Fund was the first participant in the Community Emergency Fund Program. Maria was severely burned in her home on March 6, 2004 and was placed in an induced coma at Westchester Medical Center. Her husband, Mark Hopkins, sought financial assistance from the community to provide medical care for Maria.

On March 6, 2004, Maria Heng suffered burns to 75% of her body at her home on DeLaval Place. According to her husband, she walked past a lit candle on the floor setting her cotton dress on fire. The fire was extinguished in the couple's bath, but not before Ms. Heng had suffered extensive full-thickness burns.

At the time, Maria was a five year resident of the Poughkeepsie area. She worked as an internet designer and programmer locally - mainly for the website of a local credit union. She is an avid gardener, a fan of international cuisines, and enjoys the Hudson Valley for its beauty, historic buildings, and landscape. She married native-born Mark Hopkins in 1999 settled with him in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Prior to settling here, Maria was a resident of Singapore where she was a fashion model pre-school teacher.