Newton Rallies, Raises $650K For People In Need Amid Coronavirus
NEWTON, MA ‒ Hundreds have rallied in a show of support for people in Newton who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic through the Newton COVID-19 Care Fund.
As of April 27, some 850 people, businesses and nonprofits have donated more than $650,000 to the cause a month after it was established by community leaders.
“COVID-19 is an unprecedented crisis that requires all of us to work together to help those in need,” said United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley President Michael Durkin, who is also a Newton resident.
The fund comes as the number of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus in Newton rose to 541 as of April 26, and at least 58 people have died as of April 21. Hundreds of businesses and families in the city have been affected.
Read more: Newton Local Business Guide: What's Open or Closed
Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller brought together the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, and community leaders to start the fund last month with the goal of helping those who live or work in Newton who have been financially impacted by this coronavirus pandemic.
“This is the kind of community we are,” said Newton-Needham Regional Chamber President Greg Reibman. “Local organizations have a decades-long history of supporting Newton-based non-profits. Giving to the Newton COVID-19 Care Fund to care for those with urgent financial needs right now is just an extension of that.”
Family Access of Newton, a non-profit organization whose task is to oversee disbursement of the emergency funds has already begun distributing some of the money. Case managers there review grant requests and interview applicants to determine whether they qualify. Payments are sent to the vendor or provider of services; money is not given to individuals directly.
“Contributions large and small have come in since the Fund was created,” said Rob Gifford, who is the chairperson of the Fundraising Committee for the Newton COVID-19 Care Fund. “We are deeply grateful for the immediate, open-hearted and broad-based support of the Fund. Newton is a caring community where we look out for each other.”
The fund is designed to provide financial assistance to Newton residents, employees who hold or held jobs with Newton employers, and families with children receiving childcare services in Newton or enrolled in Newton Public Schools. City of Newton First Responders, who incur new childcare expenses or other expenses as a result of the crisis, are also eligible for assistance. The funds will pay for rent, utilities, internet connectivity for families with school-aged children, childcare, medications and other basic needs, according to the fund organizers.
If you or someone is interested in applying for financial assistance you can head to United Way’s Newton Covid-19 Care Fund website.
In addition to the hundreds of individual donations, several Newton businesses have given, including Mark Development, Northland Investment Corp., The Village Bank, Criterion Development Partners, Eastern Bank, Garden Remedies and the law firm of Schlesinger & Buchbinder, according to a release.
Family foundations and local organizations from David and Katherine Moore Family Foundation, Rebecca Pomroy Foundation, Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, Brae Burn Country Club to the Newton Cantonese School have also contributed to the fund.
“COVID-19 is hurting so many people in Newton. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of people who live and do business here, those who need help will receive it. Bravo to the good people of Newton,” said Fuller
Click here to donate to the Newton COVID-19 Care Fund.
PREVIOUSLY:
Newton City Hall Furloughs 100 Employees Amid Coronavirus Crisis
Coronavirus In Newton: More Than 540 People Test Positive
Newton Local Business Guide: What's Open or Closed
Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).
This article originally appeared on the Newton Patch
