Washington County COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund Disbursements Final Wave

The Washington County COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, a campaign organized by the Community Foundation and United Way of Washington County, Maryland, announces eight new disbursements in the total amount of $86,061.23, which included a generous donation from the Fulton Forward Foundation. The donation in the amount of $75,000 served as a commitment to nonprofit & human service organizations across the country who provide relief support.Recipients include Cedar Ridge Ministries, Community Free Clinic, Inc., Children In Need, Girls Inc. of Washington County,  The Hope Center at Hagerstown Rescue Mission, Horizon-Goodwill Industries, Mt. Hope Prison Ministry Outreach, and Washington County Community Action Council, Inc.“The Fulton Forward® Foundation is proud to support the United Way of Washington County and the Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc.’s COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, particularly during this challenging time,” said Lou Giustini, Fulton Bank regional consumer executive. “The goal of the Foundation is to help our communities advance economic empowerment and support underserved populations. We are grateful to the United Way of Washington County and the Community Foundation of Washington County for the work they both do. Our organizations aim to change lives for the better and together.”A longtime supporter of United Way & Community Foundation, the Fulton Forward Foundation donation is one of twenty major donors and one of nearly three hundred individual donations to the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund since April 1st, 2020. The initial goal for the Emergency Assistance Fund was $200,000. The campaign surpassed this goal, raising a final total of $310,465.23 that’s been awarded to 34 different nonprofits agencies and essential service providers. All funds raised have supported Washington County community-based organizations and partners who directly help those adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Since April 1, the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund has provided additional capacity to community-based organizations in Washington County. This fund delivered economic assistance along with vital food and basic need supplies to the many children, families and households impacted by the pandemic. The COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund may also be deployed to strengthen our community’s ability to prepare for and respond to a variety of health and other emergencies, as well as to support programs and initiatives that are focused on fighting for the health, education, basic needs and financial stability of Washington County. Donations made to the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund supported these efforts to provide relief to people impacted by coronavirus.The goal of the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund was to raise as much money as possible to deliver positive outcomes for severely affected individuals and families. The Community Foundation secured $100,000 in matching grants in less than two days. Matching donors included: Adna Fulton Family Fund. Pauline Anderson Foundation, William Dutton Family Fund, Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation, God’s Grace Fund, Community Foundation of Washington County, MD., John R. Hershey Jr. and Anna L. Hershey Family Foundation, Ed and Betsy Beachley, Dr. and Mrs. Mitesh and Erin Kothari, Kevin and Stacey Crawford, and Todd and Sue Baer. United Way of Washington County waived all administrative and processing fees to ensure that 100% of donations were distributed appropriately.