4/6/2020
Petters Family Foundation Supports United Way of the Virginia Peninsula’s Emergency Fund for COVID-19 Recovery With $1,000,000 Donation slated for families in need in communities in Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana
The Petters Family Foundation has committed $1 million to United Way of the Virginia Peninsula to assist individuals and families affected by the coronavirus in the communities of the Virginia Peninsula, Greater Pascagoula (South Mississippi), Southwest Alabama and Greater New Orleans. The Petters family is providing critical support to families in need through the United Way in the belief that process is the most efficient and impactful way to address this crisis. The United Way organizations in the communities listed above have established Coronavirus Recovery Funding campaigns to support its hardest hit families as well as to provide support to non-profits working on the frontlines of the pandemic.
The Petters Family gift will support the essential needs of economically vulnerable populations that are negatively impacted financially due to closures, cancellations, and/or sickness related to COVID-19. These efforts will focus primarily on individuals and families facing significant financial difficulties due to COVID-19. The gift also ensures continued operation of front-line human service agencies by addressing immediate organizational challenges due to disruptions, loss of funding, significant changes to services, and other consequences associated with the response to COVID-19. This includes but is not limited to filling gaps and supporting agencies with developing rapid response solutions that will enable quick adjustments and continuation of modified services.
“I am truly thankful for the generosity of the Petters family during this time of crisis,” said Steven S. Kast, United Way of the Virginia Peninsula’s president & CEO. “Mike, Nancy, their daughters, and their daughters’ families, are examples of the goodness that comes from a difficult time — they see the need to keep life moving forward, they understand the big picture and importantly, they know that their gift will have a positive impact and provide a much needed helping hand to the hard working individuals who are currently struggling in our community. Our communities are eternally grateful for their setting an example that we hope others will follow.”
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula launched the Emergency Fund because, when a crisis like this occurs in our community, those hardest hit are those already struggling to make ends meet. United Way also believes that with its existing relationships with cities and schools, health and human service agencies, and corporate partners, that it is uniquely suited to lead the response effort. “The United Way is grateful for the Petters’ generous support,” said Kast. “We will rally together in kindness to provide for those in need in our community because together we can keep our community healthy.”
For more information on how United Way of the Virginia Peninsula is responding to COVID-19 or to Donate to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund visit our website at www.uwvp.org.
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About United Way of the Virginia Peninsula
United Way believes we can achieve more together than any of us could on our own. That's why our board is committed to our mission of uniting people, organizations, and resources to improve lives in the Virginia Peninsula. By fostering community partnerships, we can champion shared goals and align resources to deliver innovative, holistic solutions to our community's most pressing issues, with a focus on coming together to break the cycle of poverty.
Whether United Way is funding others to provide services, delivering services or coordinating collaborative programs, we are working together to create a path to stability and self-sufficiency. By focusing on the building blocks of health, education, and financial stability to create “Pathways Out of Poverty”, we don't just change lives - we change what's possible. Learn more at www.uwvp.org.