United Way chapters across Central California are getting an incredibly timely gift from a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous. The $6.6 million earmarked for United Way chapters in the Central Valley will be split between organizations representing the counties of San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Fresno and Madera, Tulare, Kings, and Kern. The gift is part of a larger $15 million-dollar investment for the entire network of California-based United Ways, which includes 30 individual chapters.
United Way of San Joaquin County (UWSJC) will receive close to $1million to continue their work in COVID-19 response and recovery in partnership with the nonprofit communities they serve. This generous gift will allow a focused and continued financial boost to local agencies who have programs that address homelessness and sheltering, education and support to immigrants and vulnerable populations, emergency response outreach, 2-1-1, and food distribution to isolated senior citizens across San Joaquin County.
“This gift represents a significant opportunity for us to move from relief to recovery. It will provide critical, timely relief in our community,” says United Way President and CEO Kristen Birtwhistle. Adding, “We know the magnitude of the pandemic will require so much more as the level of need is unprecedented. Each and every day the increased call volume at the 2-1-1 centers across the state has tripled, telling us that families need basic necessities like food and shelter. We must continue our collective impact and use these generous resources for the betterment of humankind in our county towards the path of recovery.”
Tammie Murrell, Chairman of the UWSJC Board equally recognizes the challenges. “We are grateful for the financial support from those who understand the Live United creed,” says Murrell. “This gift in particular will go far in helping many people and their families in San Joaquin County.”
If you would like to make a donation to UWSJC you can do so by doing the following:
The funds will be distributed to identified agencies who are playing an active and vital role in helping our most vulnerable populations.