Generous donors come to the aid of residents in need
The residents of Greenwich and Stamford are proving to be generous, with thousands of dollars pouring in for the Giving Fund.
The Giving Fund was created to help the many residents who are struggling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic — unable to pay for their basic needs such as rent, food and childcare. But generous members of the community are making a difference by making donations to the Giving Fund campaign this New Year.
The Greenwich Time and the Stamford Advocate are providing readers with the opportunity to help their neighbors in need through the Giving Fund, in partnership with Family Centers and Person-toPerson, two area nonprofits.
Each case in the Giving Fund includes an estimated dollar amount that would help a local person or family tackle everyday costs. Every dollar donated to the Giving Fund goes directly to the people in the stories, which are published every Thursday and Sunday into the New Year.
The names have been changed to protect the participants’ privacy. Here are the stories of 10 neighbors in need:
Case #417:
John has grand mal seizures caused by epilepsy. He was hospitalized recently and needed several days to recover. During this time, John was not able to work and therefore was not paid. As a result, he was not able to cover his full rent for December. A grant of $1,000 would help keep John in his apartment while he recovers.
Case #418: Sarah works incredibly hard in multiple jobs to support her three children. Her youngest was diagnosed with autism and requires many supports that are not fully covered by insurance. The pandemic has impacted her work as a housekeeper with her children all doing remote learning at home. A gift of $500 would be incredibly meaningful in helping Sarah to pay for her son’s medical bills.
Case #419: Gina is a grieving widowed mother to three children. Her income has been reduced as a result of her husband’s death, and she skipped Christmas gifts for her kids to keep up with bills instead. A gift of $500 would help this grieving family, brighten their holiday season and decrease their financial stress.
Case #420: John is a single father raising two teenage boys. He lost his oldest son who tragically died last year in an accident. A teacher, John is managing remote teaching, in-person teaching and everything else that the pandemic has brought — along with his grief. They recently moved and finances have been tight. A gift of $800 would help this family furnish their new home as they start a new chapter.
Case #421: Mary is a widowed mother to three teenage girls. They have had to move, and Mary is going back to school so she can better support her family since her husband’s death. Their grief has been isolating and challenging for her and her family. A gift of $500 would help Mary reduce her financial strain during this holiday season.
Case #422: Michelle lost her husband last year, a few months before the start of the pandemic. Her life was uprooted and she had to relocate back to Connecticut and find a new job. She was then laid off due to the pandemic. She is now starting her own small business in memory of her late husband. A gift of $800 would help as she ventures in to the world of small business ownership and navigates her bills and rent.
Case #423: Alex is a 23-year-old with many responsibilities, working as a Grubhub and Amazon driver as the primary breadwinner for his family of six. In addition to this responsibility, four of his family members tested positive for COVID-19. A gift of $500 would greatly help this young man get back on his feet after losing his income during quarantine.
Case #424: Jenna is 21 and recently lost her housing while caring for her elderly grandmother, who had been diagnosed with COVID-19. In addition to housing instability, she is due to become a first time mom this month. A donation of $700 would help Jenna provide her newborn with food, diapers and clothes for the first several months of their life.
Case #425: YR is a 19year-old student at Connecticut College who was unable to pay tuition due to the loss of income in the COVID-19 outbreak. He also has difficulties buying food and paying for transportation due to lack of income. A gift of $500 would allow YR to pay his tuition and get his education back on track.
Case #426: Ms. RG is a 71-year-old widow who lives with her daughter and who lost her job in April due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ms. RG is anxious and depressed due to the second wave of COVID-19. A gift of $500 would help her purchase groceries for the next few months.
All the Giving Fund cases are also listed online. To make a donation online, visit givingfund. isecuresites.com