(4/22/2020) – Winchester, VA- Less than a month after the Board of Directors of United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley (UWNSV) launched the COVID-19 Relief Fund with $50,000 in matching dollars, UWNSV surpassed $100,000 raised and concluded their match. Individuals, churches, and businesses from across the area made contributions totaling $52,745, bringing the grand total of the fund to date to $102,745 for the Fund.
In response to reaching the conclusion of the initial matching fund challenge, United Way NSV’s board of directors decided to release an additional $50,000 in matching funds from emergency cash reserves at a board meeting on 4/22/2020. United Way NSV hopes that with the additional matching funds, the COVID-19 Relief fund could surpass $200,000.
New gifts to the COVID-19 Relief Fund will again be matched 1:1, up to $50,000 by United Way NSV. 100% of all donations will go directly to the non-profits through grants to combat the growing need in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.
“Through our office and Valley Assistance Network call center, we are connecting those most in need with resources that can help them,” Nadine Bullock-Pottinga, President and CEO of Untied Way NSV said. “I don't think there has ever been a time when community support has been more widely needed, we are getting dozens of urgent calls for help each day, and this relief fund is a starting point. We ask individuals and corporate partners to join us to help as many people as we possibly can.”
The goal of the United Way NSV COVID-19 Relief Fund is to focus on directly supporting local residents and families who are most affected by emerging health, economic and social impacts. The Fund is designed to expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible. Grants are dispersed to agencies within the United Way NSV catchment area of the City of Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah and Page counties.
“It’s organizations like yours that give hope, love and understanding in this cold dark world. We need more people like you to bring in the ray of sunshine we are all missing right now! "Said an anonymous COVID-19 Relief Fund Grant Recipient who was helped to stay in housing.
To date, United Way has issued $61,650 in grants to 13 nonprofits in the region. Nonprofit grants have gone to help with food and food supplies, prescription and medical supplies, mortgage payments for homes or businesses/Rental assistance, car repairs or payments, utility payments, and child care. Information on grants can be found on United Way’s website at www.unitedwaynsv.org/grantinvestments
“We have a long road ahead of us as a community, this is going to be a marathon, not a sprint,” explained Nadine Bullock-Pottinga. “Each week our community is facing new challenges and we encourage organizations to review the fund and see if there is a way we can help. As we know the need will continue, we remain hopeful for increased community support from local corporations and individuals across the Shenandoah Valley to sustain the fund.” Said Nadine Bullock-Pottinga.
Donations can be made and more information can be found on the website listed here: https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/covid-19-relief-fund