FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Allison Dillow
Director of Marketing & Engagement, United Way of Washington County, MD
301.739.8200 x 104
adillow@unitedwaywashcounty.org
Stacey Crawford
President & CEO - Community Foundation of Washington County, MD
301.745.5210
staceyc@cfwcmd.org
WASHINGTON COUNTY COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND RAISES $200K
HAGERSTOWN, MD (April 21, 2020) – The Washington County COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, a campaign organized by the Community Foundation and United Way of Washington County, Maryland, to raise funds for Washington County nonprofits blindsided by the spread of the coronavirus, has raised over $200,000.
These funds will support Washington County community-based organizations and partners who directly help those adversely effected by the COVID-19 crisis. In the weeks and months ahead, the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund will provide additional capacity to community-based organizations in Washington County. This fund will deliver economic assistance and access to vital food and basic need supplies to the many children, families and households who already have and will be impacted by the temporary loss of income. The COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund may also be deployed to strengthen our community’s ability to prepare for and respond to a variety of health and other emergencies, as well as to support programs and initiatives that are focused on fighting for the health, education, basic needs and financial stability of our community. Donations made to the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund will support efforts to provide relief to people impacted by coronavirus and its effect on our community.
The goal of the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund is to raise as much money as possible to deliver positive outcomes for severely affected individuals and families. The Community Foundation secured $100,000 in matching grants in less than two days. The initial goal for the Emergency Assistance Fund was $200,000. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, so does the community’s need for essential services and basic needs. The Emergency Assistance Fund will continue until the COVID-19 crisis has diminished.
United Way of Washington County has waived all administrative and processing fees to ensure all campaign funding will go to those most in need. To ensure maximum impact, the funding community is banding together to ensure that 100% of donations are distributed appropriately throughout the community.
The first disbursement of grants was announced on April 20th. Grants totaling $50,000 were funded to five different agencies: CASA, Inc., Interfaith Service Coalition, Salvation Army, Together with Families, and the Washington County Commission on Aging. The deadline for the second cycle of grants will be Wednesday, April 22 at midnight. Applications will be reviewed, and recipients will be announced on Monday April 27th.
The Community Foundation and United Way are challenging the community with another goal of raising $50,000 to continue to ensure basic needs and essential services are met throughout the duration of COVID-19 and its aftermath. Donations can be made online at https://bit.ly/2UR6fsy by texting COVIDWashCo to 313131, by calling 301.739.8200 x 104 or by mailing checks to United Way of Washington County, 83 West Washington Street, Suite 101, Hagerstown, MD.
United Way of Washington County, MD inspires collaborations to impact community improvement. United Way is located at 83 West Washington Street, Suite 101 in Hagerstown, MD 21740. For more information or to make a donation please call 301-739-8200 or visit our website at www.unitedwaywashcounty.org. To find volunteer opportunities please visit http://volunteer.unitedwaywashcounty.org/.
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