Regional Relief Fund raises $361,000

Published 3:21 pm Friday, April 17, 2020

A regional effort of seven United Ways has raised $361,000 so far and reached their initial goal of 19% of the $1.9 million goal of the Northeast TN and Southwest Virginia Regional Relief Fund to combat effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The fund was established for businesses and individuals with a regional footprint to give at a regional level.

President and CEO of United Way of Washington County, Tenn., Kristan Spear, has this message for our region, “Time continues to be of the essence in helping meet the immediate needs due to the impacts of the pandemic. We are so grateful to those who have stepped up to be a part of on-going relief and recovery in our region. From the essential employees to the nonprofit partners who are our boots on the ground and to those who have donated to the regional and local relief funds, we want to say a huge thank you! We will get through this and we will do it together because we are stronger together.”

The regional United Ways will advocate to meet the immediate and long-term needs of Northeast TN and Southwest VA. The Advisory Council that oversees the distribution of funds is made up of the United Way staff leaders and their Board Chairs. The first distribution of funds will be announced at the end of this week.

Participating United Ways include: United Way of Bristol TN/VA, United Way of Carter and Johnson counties, United Way of Greater Kingsport, United Way of Greene County, United Way of Hawkins County, United Way of Southwest Virginia, and United Way of Washington County, Tenn.

Those interested in making a gift to the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia Relief Fund can visit www.netnswvarelief.orgor text NETNSWVARelief to 41444. For givers who want to pay by check, please mail your gift to United Way, Regional COVID-19 Relief Fund, P.O. Box 644, Abingdon, VA 24212.