Helping Long Islanders coping with health and economic emergency
April 16, 2020 (Deer Park) – United Way of Long Island’s “UNITED TOGETHER: A Response Fund For COVID-19” launched this month with contributions from leading supporters including Bank of America and the New York Jets. With equal gifts totaling $500,000, the funding is enabling the not-for-profit to take immediate action and act as a source of support to provide relief to thousands of Long Islanders in their time of need.
As many families are experiencing unexpected financial hardship, the Fund provides direct emergency financial assistance to help meet critical needs of food and household essentials.
“Due to the swift action from companies like Bank of America and the New York Jets, we have already helped over 2,000 Long Islanders who have been unemployed or furloughed due to the effects of COVID-19,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island. She added, “Our partners’ generous contributions led the way in ensuring a strong foundation for the Response Fund and enabled us to help families afford basic necessities while they are not receiving a paycheck.”
“United Way already provides much needed support to the community on a daily basis, but times like these truly underline just how vital nonprofits like United Way are to people,” said Robert Isaksen, Long Island Market President for Bank of America. “Bank of America has been a longtime partner of United Way and we thank them for their leadership in organizing the UNITED TOGETHER Response Fund. United Way’s efforts in stabilizing our communities and helping individuals and families cope with the challenges they face due to a loss of income are making a difference for all of Long Island.”
During this global pandemic, the New York Jets and the Johnson Family understand the significance of supporting their local communities, “Everyone has been impacted by this invisible enemy and United Way of Long Island is meeting it head-on at home, helping those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the outbreak,” said New York Jets CEO Christopher Johnson.
United Way of Long Island is grateful to all current supporters: Bank of America, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Brookhaven National Laboratory/ Brookhaven Science Associates, Robert Catell, City National Bank, CNA, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, Esquire Bank, GEICO, Island Outreach Foundation, King Kullen Grocery Co., Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW, MSC Industrial Supply Co., M&T Bank, National Grid, New Empire Group, Ltd., New York Jets, Northville Industries, People’s United Community Foundation, PSEG Long Island, RXR, The AmerisourceBergen Foundation, The Countess Moira Charitable Foundation, Transervice Logistics Inc., TriState Capital Bank, Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock and UPS.
To join the list of Champions that Care visit www.unitedwayli.org/GIVEUNITEDTOGETHER.
UNITED TOGETHER: A Response Fund for COVID-19 was established to help support vulnerable families who have been financially devastated by the coronavirus outbreak. To make a contribution visit www.unitedwayli.org and click on COVID-19 Response. To give by phone, text “HelpNow” to 313131.
About United Way of Long Island
United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We recruit people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become part of the change. United Way of Long Island is part of a worldwide network spanning across 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. For more information about United Way of Long Island, please visit UnitedWayLI.org, or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
Bank of America has delivered more than $2 billion in philanthropic investments since 2009, with approximately $250 million in 2019 alone. In April 2019, the company announced a $5 billion Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment™ to benefit low- and moderate-income homebuyers and communities across the U.S. over the next five years. Also in 2019, Bank of America Community Development Banking provided a record $4.88 billion in loans, tax credit equity investments and other real estate development solutions. Between 2005 and 2019, Bank of America financed 202,800 affordable housing units. To meet the unique needs of its 12 million small business owners, the company provides advice, solutions and dedicated support. Bank of America maintained its position as the nation’s top small business lender at the end of 2019, with $38.9 billion in total outstanding small business loan balances (defined as business loans in original amounts of $1 million and under), up 7% year over year.
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.
About The New York Jets
The New York Jets take great pride in a long-standing, year-round commitment to our community. Programs funded by the New York Jets Foundation look to positively influence the lives of young men and women in the tri-state area by supporting youth football, preventing bullying, and promoting fitness, particularly in disadvantaged communities. From launching football teams at urban high schools to urging students to be active for at least 60 minutes every day to fostering positive school environments, the New York Jets invest in programs that make a difference in the lives of others. In addition to our focus on youth development, the Jets support numerous established charitable organizations including the Lupus Research Alliance, our military and first responders, and causes sponsored by the NFL.
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