The United Way of Greater Fall River, through its Community Impact Grants Program, awarded 17 grants to 12 local agencies at a recent breakfast meeting.

Grants totaling $96,019 were awarded for new and innovative programs serving the Greater Fall River community. Recipient agencies included Katie Brown Educational Program, Family Service Association, People, Inc., SMILES, Boys & Girls Club and
Steppingstone, Inc.

Awards were provided for health and human service programs meeting the needs of children, elderly and entire families.  Funded projects/programs include support for relationship violence prevention, family fitness, mentoring, family literacy, GED & ESOL education, cyber bullying, childcare and healthy lifestyles.  One program will
develop a community-wide effort to keep those serving in the military connected to our community through letter writing and shipments of supplies, reading material and food items.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of this special grant program. United Way has
awarded over $1 million through 168 grants since 1985.
 
“We are pleased to make these special grants available to our community, helping to make an impact on the lives of many children, elderly and families,” commented Michael McDonald, Vice President of BankFive and Chair of the Community Impact Committee.

For more information about United Way’s Community Impact Grants program, please contact Bo Horne at 508-678-8361.

September 2010

The United Way of Greater Fall River conducted it 1st Annual “Day of Caring,” in an effort to help make the community a better place to live.  In cooperation with the City of Fall River, United Way and 123 volunteers recently conducted a clean up project on a section of Davol Street, including the area at Turner & Durfee Streets.  Supplies were provided by the city’s Public Works Department. Volunteers were greeted by Mayor William Flanagan and a short speech was delivered by United Way’s campaign chair, Lisa Lundy-Kusinitz of Dominion Energy.

“We understand that in today’s economy, not everyone can give financially,” said United Way’s Executive Director Bob Horne. “But there are other ways of giving back to your community, such as volunteering. This was a great opportunity for everyone to get involved and make a difference.”

Over 8,000 people in the state of Massachusetts participated in this year’s first ever Statewide Day of Caring. Locally, volunteers helped by gathering trash, weeding the streets, and sorting recyclables. Volunteers came from various local companies and agencies, as well as a few individuals who signed up after hearing about the opportunity from friends and family.
 
This year’s event also served as the United Way’s 2010 Campaign Kick-Off. This annual campaign raises over $1.5 million for local health and human service agencies in the Greater Fall River area.

For more information or to sign up for future volunteer opportunities, call United Way at 508-678-8361.

November, 2009

Fall River.  The United Way of Greater Fall River is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has authorized special grants, totaling $20,000, to be made available to meet emergency food needs in the community.

In addition, United Way is partnering with Citizens-Union Savings Bank to make available an additional $10,000 for this effort. The bank recently made a contribution to the United Way specifically to help support local food pantries and soup kitchens.

A portion of the United Way’s $20,000 grant total was already supplemented by a gift of $3,800 representing the proceeds of a craft fair which was sponsored by Citizens-Union and coordinated by bank employee (and a 2009 UW “Loaned Executive” volunteer) Kerrie Gomes.

Several local food pantries and soup kitchens will benefit from these special grants, including Fall River Community Soup Kitchens, Greater Fall River Food Pantry, Veterans’ Association of Bristol County, Citizens For Citizens, Annelle Delorme-Hagerman Food Pantry, Bristol Elder Services and the First Step Inn shelter.

These grants will allow the recipient organizations to meet immediate needs and to help prepare for the holiday season.  The grants have no time restrictions, and in the case of First Step Inn, the funds may be used for transportation to serve meals to individuals who cannot get to a meal/food site.

Bob Horne, Executive Director of the United Way, said: “We are pleased to join with Citizens-Union Savings Bank in making this $30,000 commitment to support our local providers of emergency food and meals. We know that there is an immediate need in our community, and we are hopeful that these grants will also help in the coming holiday season.”

“Citizens-Union Savings Bank recognizes the need to help those less fortunate during these tough economic times,” said Nicholas M. Christ, President and CEO.  “Therefore, our institution has decided to redirect $10,000 previously allocated to corporate gifts to the United Way, specifically to benefit local soup kitchens and food pantries.  We hope these funds will help others by providing meals to the needy during the winter months.

September, 2009

Batter up! The United Way of Greater Fall River is holding its annual Kick-Off event at the North Park Little League field to celebrate their new campaign year. The Live United Wiffle Ball Tournament will be taking place on Wednesday, September 16, from 3 – 6 pm and is open to the public for free. Local agencies and businesses, such as CDRec, the Boys and Girls Club, Citizens Union-Savings Bank and Bank Five, will be competing for a chance to win first place. The United Way AllStars, comprised of United Way Board Members, will also take a few swings with WSAR’s “Happy Hec” Gauthier as one of the guest celebrity pitchers.

The Boys & Girls Club have also announced that they will be having former Red Sox pitcher Brian Rose on their team, so come show your support of the local community by cheering in the stands.

Food and refreshments will be donated by Domino’s Pizza on South Main Street, which is managed by Seth Hockert-Lotz.

The United Way raises roughly $1.5 million each year to help fund its 31 local health and human service agencies and programs. To donate to the United Way’s annual campaign, make checks payable to the United Way of Greater Fall River, P.O. Box 2550, Fall River, MA 02722. For more information, please call 508-678-8361 or visit www.uwgfr.org.