‘Worcester Together’ Challenge launches on #GivingTuesdayNow 
 
Worcester Together is happy to announce the start of the Worcester Together Challenge, created by the Esler Family Foundation. 

“There is one way through this global pandemic - it’s together,” said John Esler of the Esler Family Foundation. ”Locally, each citizen of Worcester has a way to contribute by supporting the Worcester Together Fund. The Esler Family Foundation is proud to double the impact of each donation dollar for dollar.” 

#GivingTuesdayNow will be celebrated worldwide as people demonstrate acts of kindness and philanthropy on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 . All funds raised during this global day of giving will go to nonprofit organizations working to help families most impacted by this public health crisis.

Your donation is tax deductible and 100% of funds go directly to those in need through our ongoing granting cycles. You can give here on our website or text worcestercovid19 to 243725. 
Worcester Together fund Reaches $5.8 Million in Donations, Over $1 Million granted 

Worcester Together, a joint effort between the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and the United Way of Central Massachusetts has officially raised $5.8 million so far. Grants from the fund target organizations with deep roots in the community that are working on the immediate response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The fund’s success is owed in large part to the generous contribution of donors, including:

  • Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund                
  • BARR Foundation
  • Fletcher Foundation
  • Martha Pappas
  • Worcester County Food Bank Fund to End Hunger
  • Polar Beverages 
  • Andrew and Melora Balson
  • Berkshire Bank
  • FLEXcon
  • Good Chemistry Nurseries
  • National Grid
  • Wyman-Gordon Foundation
  • Commerce Associates
  • Mary DeFeudis
  • Patty and Fred Eppinger
  • Tufts Health Plan Foundation
  • Washington Mills
  • Zamore-Colinvaux Family Fund

Worcester Together has quickly put these donations to work in the community, distributing just over $1 Million to over 77 grantee nonprofits. Check out the full list of our grantees and their work here.

“While the COVID-19 outbreak has created many challenges for Worcester, it has also brought out the best in our community,” remarks GWCF President and CEO, Barbara Fields. “The outpouring of support we have seen for Worcester Together speaks to the strength and generosity of our community that persists even in times of crisis.”
GWCF Grantee ‘Legendary Legacies’ Delivers Meals to Seniors in Need

Worcester Together is proud to support the nonprofits working at the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak.

One of our 77 grantees, Legendary Legacies Inc., is hard at work delivering meals from food pantries to seniors and isolated individuals and families. Normally, the organization is focused on helping young men become more active citizens through mentorship. When the pandemic hit, these young men jumped into action to serve their community. The team has delivered more than 400 meals to those in need.

“When I was a boy, many times my single mother struggled to make sure we were taken care of, [and] the community always helped take care of us by bringing care packages,” remembers Legendary Legacies’ founder, Ronald B. Waddell Jr. “It’s a blessing to be able to do that for so many folks in our community now.”

“I feel like I just changed the world,” said one participant after a day of deliveries.
When you give to Worcester Together, you are supporting the inspiring work that organizations like Legendary Legacies are carrying out each day to assist those in need. Learn more about their work here.
RSVP Today for GWCF’s Virtual Annual Meeting with Congressman McGovern

Our 45th Annual Meeting is coming up next Wednesday, May 13. Join us to hear from our keynote speaker, Congressman Jim McGovern. We will gather virtually at 4:30pm via Zoom. This year’s agenda will be abbreviated, but we hope you’ll join us as we highlight achievements of the past year and look to the future.

Headline: Leadership Worcester Spotlight: Homecare During COVID-19

“Home healthcare is key to [a community’s] healthcare infrastructure,” says Century Homecare CEO and Leadership Worcester cohort member, Milka Njoroge (left) in an interview with the Worcester Business Journal. “As we stand in the dawn of this pandemic, it has become even more evident the critical role home health providers play in keeping patients at home.”

For organizations that work with vulnerable patients, the COVID-19 outbreak poses a variety of challenges for leaders like Njoroge. Between managing the day-to-day concerns over obtaining personal protective equipment and anticipating the long-term impact of the outbreak on her staff and patients, Njoroge and her team have managed to continue providing high quality care to patients while limiting the spread of the virus.

We are grateful to Milka and her team for all that they are doing to keep their patients, and our community safe during this time. Learn how they are doing it here.
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