United Way Of Milford Launches Annual Appeal As Pandemic Surges

Milford CT

05 January, 2021

12:00 PM

Description

Press release from United Way Of Milford: Jan. 5, 2021 Starting today we must LIVE UNITED! Tomorrow is full of questions and unknowns, and it is not getting any easier with additional waves of the virus hitting our community. Across the world, COVID-19 deaths continue to rise. In the U.S., the economic fallout continues to hit low-wage Americans the hardest. One in 4 adults have had trouble paying bills, especially rent or mortgage payments. One in 6 have borrowed money from friends or gotten food from a food bank. Half the adults who lost a job due to COVID-19 are still unemployed. United Way's go-to information resource - 211, is still fielding more than double its normal calls, mostly for help with housing, bills, and food. At the same time, community services are strained, unable to meet demand. "While this pandemic continues, we need to help each other, Now More Than Ever, said United Way of Milford President & CEO, Gary Johnson. TOGETHER, we must rebuild and reimagine a "new normal" that results in a more equitable and resilient community. TOGETHER, we can respond with hope, possibility, and action for a tomorrow that will be better than yesterday. TOGETHER, we can make sure the most vulnerable are protected. We are beyond thankful for the support of our local businesses, who go above and beyond, such as Edgewell (Schick), the Milford Bank, donors such as our local teachers, local administrators, local law enforcement, our first responders, our 21 Partner Agencies, Board of Directors, and volunteers like YOU! This year our local businesses have gone above and beyond last year's fundraising goals to meet the ongoing needs of our Milford residents. As donors your collective ability to reimagine the future gives us the ability to turn that vision into a reality. United Way's ability to improve lives is directly related to the support of donors such as yourselves. United Way connects residents to local resources and the latest information. We focus on the underlying problems that have a profound impact on individuals and families. COVID-19 is a new test of our collective strength. United Way of Milford has been on the front lines helping the most vulnerable households that have been financially affected by the pandemic with necessities. At United Way, we are tackling issues, which are magnified now in our community, while helping to meet the increased needs caused by the pandemic. It is our mission to reduce poverty and expand opportunity for all to improve community health, education, and economic equity. United Way is creating bold solutions to break the cycle of poverty - the kind of poverty that traps families for generations. Your support is more imperative than ever. Your financial support allows us to leverage our great partnerships and, most importantly, build more pathways to success for families in our community. "If you're looking for a way to use your time, voice, or treasure to help others in the new year, I highly recommend a gift to United Way of Milford" said Ray Vitali, Chairman United Way of Milford Board of Directors. Social distancing forces us apart, but compassion defies distance. We hope that we can count on you! "We are asking the citizens of Milford to give generously this year, whether they have given before or not, or whether they are asked at a workplace or not. We know that this year's campaign has challenges. Because of COVID-19, a lot of the events and other fundraisers that businesses use in their internal campaigns simply cannot occur. Therefore, it is more important than ever that our supporting businesses and their employees come together to have successful campaigns even if those campaigns look different than in previous years, said Johnson." United Way of Milford supports 21 local non-profit agencies that provide help for Milford residents, helping them improve their health and financial stability, as well as aid for children. Last year, with the help of our local businesses United Way of Milford and our partner agencies were able to help over 20,000 people with housing, food access, prescription assistance, literacy, senior services, childcare, and more. We were able to distribute more than 10,000 diapers to families in need. TOGETHER WE CAN! You can contribute to our 2020-21 annual appeal by visiting www.unitedwayofmilford.org, texting "DONATE UNITEDWAY" to 609-212-0627, a credit card payment, calling our office 203.874.6791 or by sending a check to the United Way of Milford 20 Evergreen Avenue Milford, C.T. 06460 We cannot make progress alone, but TOGETHER we can give support and care to those in our community! Sincerely, Erica Bento Director of Marketing & Resource Development United Way of Milford This press release was produced by United Way of Milford. The views expressed here are the author's own.