Palm Beach United Way Coronavirus Fund raises $1.5 million
The Town of Palm Beach United Way Coronavirus Fund has raised $1.5 million, and distributed nearly $600,000 of that money to 34 area nonprofit organizations, the organization said in a release.
The initiative, launched in mid-March, was spurred by Christina Dennis and Danielle Moore, two longtime Palm Beach United Way supporters, who each gave matching gifts of $50,000 to the fund.
This was followed by two additional $50,000 matching gifts donated by J. Ira Harris, through the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Foundation, and Jason Taubman Kalisman, through the A. Alfred Taubman Foundation.
The grants were distributed to local non-profits including Adopt-a-Family, The Arc of Palm Beach County, The Arc of the Glades, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, Caridad Center, Catholic Charities, Feeding South Florida, Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, The Lord’s Place and YMCA of the Palm Beaches to assist with food, childcare and medical supplies as well as long-term needs such as housing and financial assistance.
"Funding allowed us to purchase 2,327 vital KN95/N95 masks for use in our four group homes, where residential clients are living under stay-at-home orders," said Ashley Pfister, grants manager for The Arc of Palm Beach County. "The purchased masks can sustain the mask needs of our Residential Program for nearly three months."
The fund has also donated several hundred PPE packs of masks, soap, thermometers, wipes and sanitizer to different nonprofits, who then distribute them to people in need. Town Councilwoman Julie Araskog donated much of the supplies, according to the press release.
“I feel my family and I are so blessed by God that we have the means to protect ourselves from COVID, but my heart broke when I saw others were not so fortunate,” Araskog said.
“When I saw the numbers and realized there were so many people that couldn’t afford what they needed to protect themselves and their families, (Town of Palm Beach) United Way gave me a great avenue to assist those that are less fortunate than we are,” she said.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from the Palm Beach community,” said United Way board Chairman Mary Freitas. “Because of the generosity of so many donors, we’ve been able to use funds to help nonprofit agencies throughout Palm Beach County meet increasing demands in all areas, from health services and rent assistance to education and food distribution. We’re prepared to continue helping those in need until our community has overcome this devastating virus.”
To donate to the Coronavirus Emergency Fund visit www.palmbeachunitedway.org/coronavirus-emergency-fund or call 561-655-1919.
Checks should be made payable to Town of Palm Beach United Way with “Coronavirus Fund” in the memo and mailed to 44 Cocoanut Row, Suite M201, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
Donations are tax deductible and 100% will go directly to local organizations delivering services to disadvantaged and under-resourced communities most impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.