Giving Fund supports area families facing hardships
The Giving Fund has raised more than $1 million for families in need over the last decade. United Way serves as the pro-bono fiduciary of the fund and does not take any fees to administer the program for The News-Times. This means 100 percent of your donation goes to help the person described in the case you choose.
After losing her husband to cancer last June, Susan has been holding her family together by a thread.
For the last year of his life, Susan’s husband was unable to work. As his caregiver, Susan was not able to either.
While caring for him and also raising their two children, Susan managed to complete a degree in the human services field this past March and has been actively looking for a job in the field — but the bills have been piling up.
Not only did Susan’s home flood, resulting in $1,400 worth of needed repairs, but her oldest child’s car — which she uses to get back and forth to school and work — is in need of $2,200 in repairs.
Susan is one of the area residents United Way of Western Connecticut is hoping to support this holiday season through its annual Giving Fund.
A gift of $1,500 would help to cover repair costs and lighten the financial burden Susan has been carrying, while helping her family get back on their feet after a terrible loss.
In its 10th year, The Giving Fund is a partnership between The News-Times and United Way of Western Connecticut that gives readers the opportunity to give directly to those in the greatest need this holiday season.
The Giving Fund has raised more than $1 million for families in need over the last decade. United Way serves as the pro-bono fiduciary of the fund and does not take any fees to administer the program for
The News-Times. This means 100 percent of your donation goes to help the person described in the case you choose.
Over the next few weeks, The News-Times will present several new cases describing a need that readers’ donations could meet. Names are changed to protect individuals and families’ privacy.
Donations may be made online at uwwesternct.org/ thegivingfund. They may also be mailed to United Way of Western Connecticut, 301 Main Street, Suite 2-5, Danbury, CT 06810. Checks should be made payable to The Giving Fund c/o United Way of Western Connecticut.
If a case becomes fully funded, additional donations given will be used to support other cases. This week’s cases are: Case #218: Susan is described above.
Case #219: Harold is a generous, big-hearted man with a strong work ethic, who was permanently injured on a job site years ago. Doctors have said that, due to his injuries, he is permanently disabled and unable to work again. Harold has since struggled to make ends meet. His wife works extra hours to pay the bills. Harold's life is filled with numerous doctors’ appointments, surgeries, calls to insurance companies and managing his pain. His joy in life is the pride he takes in caring for his beloved canine companion and any time he can bring a smile to someone’s enclose your payment and send to: face. A gift of $500 would help to relieve the financial stress faced by Harold and his wife and provide a joyous holiday for him and his wife.
Case #220: Callie is a single mother of three young children, all under the age of 9. They were homeless for a time, and while they were staying in the shelter, Callie worked hard to get her CNA certification and license. Unfortunately, because her job required her to work weekends and she was unable to secure child care, she had to leave her job. She is seeking another job that does not require weekend work. But in the meantime, she is unable to pay rent for December. A gift of $1,000 would help her pay her rent and provide a nice holiday for her children.
Case #221: Kristin is a single mom of two who experienced years of domestic violence from her ex-husband. She has undergone tremendous physical and emotional abuse, which has led to PTSD and depression. During the pandemic, Kristin was unemployed and struggled to keep her home and pay the bills. Because she needs to pick up her kids from school and keep up with their demanding schedules, she can only work parttime. Her oldest child is autistic and has been diagnosed with ADHD and ODD. He requires a lot of behavioral therapy sessions and in-home care. Her youngest has been diagnosed with ADHD as well. A gift of $500 would help Kristin with groceries and provide a happier holiday for the kids.
Case #222: Noelle worked full time as a dental assistant prior to the pandemic. She and her partner have three beautiful children, ages 1, 10, and 13. Recently, Noelle was faced with the difficult decision of having to give up her profession to become a full-time caregiver for a family member’s newborn. If she did not become the infant’s caregiver, the baby would have to be raised by a foster family. This selfless act of Noelle’s has put a major financial burden on this family of six. Noelle’s partner is now the only working adult in the home, and they are barely making enough to cover all their monthly expenses. A donation of $1,700 would cover one month’s rent, relieving the family of some financial stress just in time for the holidays.
Case #223: Ana is a single mother of two girls, ages 6 and 1. They currently live in Bethel. Ana works full time as a house cleaner, often putting in more than 50 hours a week to be able to make ends meet. She is the sole provider for her two beautiful little girls. Ana always speaks so highly of her daughters, and she dreams of being able to provide them with just a few extras every once in a while. She saves every penny she can every month, toward a brighter future for her family. A gift of $1,600 would cover one month of rent and two weeks of child care, taking some stress off of Ana and helping her to give her girls a nice holiday.