United Way Announces Regional Fund For Communities

Hardest Hit by Hurricane Sandy Throughout Eastern Seaboard

DANBURY — United Way on November 2 announced the creation of the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund. Contributions to the fund will be used by local United Ways along the Eastern Seaboard to address the near-term and long-term recovery needs of communities most affected by the hurricane. In addition, the fund will be usedto bolster United Way’s community impact partners that serve hurricane-affected individuals and families who are already vulnerable — struggling with food insecurity and the ability meet their most basic needs.

At the request of and in coordination with United Way USA, United Way of New York City will lead fundraising efforts and ensure that all funds are used efficiently and effectively to serve those in need. United Way of New York City will charge no administrative fees.

“We know that communities experiencing disasters of this magnitude have immediate and urgent needs, but often the greatest needs occur with the intermediate and long-term recovery and rebuilding of lives and communities. That’s the role of United Way,” says United Way USA President Stacey Stewart. “With leadership from United Way of New York City, our network of United Ways across the region and the country came together to create this recovery fund, and we will use it to strengthen the communities we rebuild.”

United Way of Western Connecticut is setting the example by directing resources that are so desperately needed to aid those in our region who are struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy by cancelling its Leadership Giving Association Dinner, an event that is paid for by corporate sponsorship dollars to recognize top donors in the community. The event was scheduled for November 8 at The Candlewood Inn in Brookfield.

United Way will instead donate what would have been the cost to host this event to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

Contributions to the fund will be used by local United Ways in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia to address recovery needs in communities that FEMA has declared disaster areas. Taken together, the United Ways participating in the fund annually serve 11.9 million people, including over one million people served by the United Way of New York City. In the areas where the fund is operating, Hurricane Sandy has affected almost eight million people.

Donations to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund can be made online at uwsandyrecovery.org. A $10 donation can be made by texting the word RECOVERY to 52000. The fund can be promoted on Twitter using #sandyfund.