From fighting cancer to living costs, Giving Fund helps area families
DANBURY — Max’s family has made difficult decisions. The father of four children, Max’s battle with stage 4 lung cancer took a toll on the household. When they first discovered Max’s diagnosis, his wife became the sole jobholder and his caregiver. After his wife fell and broke her ankle, Max returned to work despite attending ongoing chemotherapy.
A gift of $2,000 would help Max offset high gas and food prices for his family of six.
Max is one of the area residents United Way of Western Connecticut is hoping to support this holiday season through its annual giving fund. In its 11th year, The Giving Fund is a partnership between The News-Times and United Way of Western Connecticut that gives In its 11th 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. 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 does not take any fees to administer the program for The NewsTimes. This means 100 percent of your donation goes to help the person described in the case you choose.
These donations make an “immediate difference in the lives of our neighbors,” said Isabel Almeida, president of United Way of Western Connecticut.
Over the next few weeks, The News-Times will present 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. If a case becomes fully funded, additional donations given will be used to support other cases.
This week’s cases are:
Case #6: Max is described on Page A1.
Case #7: When Suzy was evicted from her apartment last summer, her only option was to live in her car. Suzy was battling cancer and unable to work due to complications from previous surgery. After being approved for low-income housing, things started to look a bit brighter. Despite having a new and safer space to live in, Suzy continues to struggle financially. Her monthly car loan has become especially difficult to afford, but it is a necessity to get her to doctor’s appointments. A gift of $1,500 would cover her car loan payment, help with gas and leave some extra for groceries.
Case #8: With three children under the age of 5, Allison and her husband are busy. Dealing with leukemia has made things more difficult for their family. Due to Allison’s illness, her husband reduced his work hours, reducing a single-income household’s already tight budget. A gift of $1,500 would pay one month’s rent and groceries for the family of five.
Case #9: People who know Michael describe him as generous with his time, and always friendly with a smile on his face. Michael is an older adult who has worked and is now retired and living in his childhood home. Recently, he’s experienced medical issues that have put a strain on his fixed income. A gift of $500 would help Michael pay for the necessary supplies he needs to be comfortable.
Case #10: Elizabeth’s independence and perseverance shine through to those around her. After working for years at her retail job, she didn’t receive the retirement benefits she was expecting. Despite being hesitant to accept any help from the people in her life, she is relying on community resources to meet her most basic needs and is facing the reality of losing her house. A gift of $600 won’t be enough to save her home, but it would help her cover the cost of food, gas, and leave her with a little extra to put gas in her car, and potentially cover an unexpected expense in the coming months.