The Bucks County chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. recently made a donation to the Bucks County COVID-19 Recovery Fund. The fund, established in March by United Way of Bucks County with additional funding from Penn Community Bank, provides grants to nonprofit organizations in Bucks County for COVID-19-related client needs.
The teen fundraising committee of the Bucks County chapter provided the donation of $1,500 on Jan. 11. Hayden Reid, president of the teen group, made the check presentation via Zoom.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives and community,” said Reid. “Our silent auction was a great opportunity to raise money to help those in need in the Bucks County community.”
Yvonne Burke, the fundraising chair of the teen group, said they raised funds by holding a virtual silent auction. Earlier in the year, the club raised $2,000 for the recovery fund. Brigitte Walker-Quinn, Bucks County chapter president, said the children and teens in the chapter, from a very young age, read and heard the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Everyone has the power for greatness because greatness is determined by service. It is wonderful to see our chapter’s brilliant teens embrace Dr. King’s words recognizing the importance of service as they find creative ways to support our community,” said Burke.
“We are incredibly grateful to these young people for their support,” said Tim Philpot, director of financial stability and health at United Way. “It is heartwarming to see this next generation of philanthropists in action.”
Since its inception, the COVID-19 Recovery Fund has provided 77 grants, totaling just over $400,000, to 37 local nonprofits serving people impacted by COVID-19. All grants focus on life-sustaining and essential human services. United Way of Bucks County member agencies will continue to submit grant applications on a rolling basis. Applications are reviewed by a panel of business and nonprofit leaders. Payments are released immediately to ensure that people who experience a financial crisis due to COVID-19 get help quickly.
To learn more about the programs and services provided by these agencies, visit uwbucks.org/covidgrantswork.
In addition to the Jack and Jill Club, more than 800 individual, local donors, Penn Community Bank, BB&T (now Truist), Janssen, PECO, Foundations Community Partnership, Bucks County Foundation, Simon and Jane Hallett, Barra Foundation, Grundy Foundation, Fegley Law Firm, ShopRite of Hunterdon County, Vistra Energy, Wells Fargo, 100+ Women Who Care Bucks County, Residents of Ann’s Choice, PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., The Albert W Bader Foundation, Inc., Newtown Business Association, Johnson & Johnson, Inc., and M&T Charitable Foundation support the fund.
Donations can be made at uwbucks.org/COVIDrecovery or by mailing a check to United Way of Bucks County, 413 Hood Blvd., Fairless Hills, PA 19030, with “COVID recovery” in the memo line.
