Fort Atkinson, WI – March 18, 2020 – The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties has announced that it will be suspending its pillar grant funding for 2020 and instead utilizing those funds to support COVID-19 efforts across our communities.
“Our pillar grant funding opportunity has been so successful for our organization and allowed us to grow, attract new donors and start new partnerships,” states Megan Hartwick, United Way executive director. “However, in light of the issues our communities are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our United Way felt it was crucial to use any funds available to us to support efforts to continue to care for those most in need during this time.”
A minimum of $20,000 will be distributed over the next three months to all five school districts in United Way’s service area (Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Whitewater, Lake Mills and Palmyra-Eagle), as well as to Bethel House and St. Vincent de Paul of Fort Atkinson – two partner agencies of United Way who currently provide extensive financial support to individuals and families. The first checks will be released on March 31st, with additional funds to follow on May 15th and June 30th.
“We believe it’s important to distribute some immediate funds to help our school districts and nonprofits in their current efforts,” Hartwick states. “But we also understand there are going to be ongoing, longer-term needs from many of our community members. So we’re making efforts to send additional funds over the next few months.”
The expectation is the funds will be utilized to help these organizations provide food, clothing, medications, hygiene items, rental & utility assistance and more to the children, individuals and families most affected by the current closures across our communities.
“The needs we are already seeing are only going to continue to grow over the course of many months,” Hartwick states. “We are asking any members of our communities who are able, to please lend support to any existing community effort. Whether through our United Way, a local foundation, food pantry, school district, or other nonprofit organizations, please give if you are able. We also want our donors to know that 100% of the proceeds raised for this fund will be directly allocated back to our communities.”
Anyone who would like to donate to the United Way’s COVID-19 fund can visit our website at www.uwjnwc.com and click on “Donate Today” to be taken to the donation page where full details are available. Donations can also be mailed to 734 Madison Avenue Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. For any questions, please contact United Way at 920.563.8880 or [email protected].
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The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties’ mission is to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities. We do that by providing support to community programs, projects and local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need. This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need. Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.
For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.uwjnwc.com or “like” the Facebook page at “United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.” For details regarding the United Way’s online volunteer tool, please visit www.volunteermain.com.
