MARBLEHEAD– For more than seven decades, the Merry Mixers have been raising funds to improve pediatric care at Mass General Brigham’s Salem Hospital. Now, the volunteer-driven nonprofit is expanding its impact with the creation of the Merry Mixers Pediatric Patient in Need Fund, a new initiative designed to support families facing financial hardship while their children receive medical care.
“Our priority has always been to make an immediate, tangible impact, so we work closely and transparently with Salem Hospital to guarantee funds stay local and are used for essentials like safe car seats, warm clothing, transportation, and other critical needs,” said Merry Mixers co-chair Beth Melander.
The Merry Mixers’ mission—to help fill the gaps in pediatric care where grant money or hospital funding falls short—has guided the organization since its founding in 1950 by a group of Marblehead women, many of whom were physicians’ wives.
Today, the group includes 17 active members who serve three-year terms before passing the torch to new volunteers, ensuring a continuous legacy of service and community engagement.
“We try to fill in the gaps,” explained board member Ashley Wheeler. “Some years that means funding equipment like transportation to safely move newborns, or medical-grade mini-fridges for every hospital room so nursing mothers can safely store milk or food. Other times, it’s training for nursing staff or smaller comforts—like providing children’s books in the ER so every child who visits can take one home.”
The Merry Mixers have raised and donated more than $2 million to Salem Hospital since their founding, funding vital resources for pediatric patients.
Past contributions include expanding the Special Care Nursery, providing cutting-edge medical equipment like retinal scanners and neonatal intubation systems, and enhancing the hospital environment with murals, play spaces, and staff training programs.
The group maintains a close relationship with Salem Hospital, regularly touring the facilities to see their impact firsthand.
“It’s always great to see where everything goes and how it helps the community,” said Wheeler. “Most of us are local parents, so we want to make sure that when families in our area come to Salem Hospital, they get the best possible experience.”
This year’s donation also covers the installation of a webcam system in the Special Care Nursery—technology already in use at other Mass General Brigham hospitals—that allows parents to securely check in on their newborns remotely, offering peace of mind and connection during stressful times.
“Every dollar given to Salem Hospital stays right here in our community—it is never redirected to other Mass General Brigham hospitals,” noted Merry Mixers co-chair Amy Leamon. “With a patient population where seventy percent are covered by government insurance or are uninsured—significantly higher than the state average—these local donations are critical to helping us serve some of the most vulnerable individuals in our region.”
As the group looks toward another fundraising year, its mission remains unchanged: to enhance the health and well-being of children on the North Shore through dedicated community support.
The Mixers’ annual 50/50 raffle tickets are now on sale. Visit merrymixers.org/raffle or reach out to a Mixer to get your tickets. The winner will be drawn on December 5 at the Marblehead Tree Lighting—you don’t need to be present to win.
