Awesome at 85: Block Island's Mary Donnelly and the Power of Private Charity

Mary Donnelly is an administrator of the Mary D Fund, a charity dedicated to providing Block Island residents with much needed financial help during the harsh winter months. Last year the 85 year-old mother of seven doled out $50,000 to roughly 30% of the island's 1,000 residents. 

The charity is completely private run, relying on individual donations, grants, and fund-raisers. By not taking taxpayer money or having government oversight, Mary is able to better manage where the money should go.