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12/23/2020 11:01 PMAs the world changed over the past year, the caring and generous ways of our friends and neighbors throughout Middlesex County continued. We saw COVID redefine “normal” and witnessed individuals, families, and businesses reach out and step up to address the rapidly changing needs of our local community. The outpouring of compassion and the desire to take action fueled the Live Local Give Local Emergency Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC). Donations large and small helped our nonprofits find new ways to provide essential programs and services and underscored the value of community leadership in the most challenging of times. CFMC is in awe of all that was accomplished, and is humbled by these organizations and the tremendous impact they have had on our lives.
By pooling resources and working together in partnership, CFMC was able to provide support to childcare programs at YMCA of Northern Middlesex County and Kids of Chatham Organization for children of essential personnel and first responders. Tablets were purchased to support virtual educational programming for neuro-diverse students at Futures, Inc., and for virtual programming and support services for clients of Vista Life Innovations. Together, we provided supplies and personal protection equipment not only for our first responders and essential workers, but also for health and human service organizations such as the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, Columbus House, Gilead Community Services, and MARC Community Resources. We helped meet the soaring demand to provide meals for seniors with Meals on Wheels through the Estuary Council of Seniors, and provided food and supplies to individuals and families through the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries; Tri-Town Youth Services in Chester, Deep River and Essex; the Town of Durham Neighbors in Need; HK Backpack Program; St. Vincent dePaul Place; and Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Women and families on the shoreline were also able to access essential counseling and support services during the shelter-in-place order through referral programs at the Women & Family Life Center. The list goes on, as does the hard work of our local nonprofits and the impact of all those who generously donate and volunteer to make a real difference in our community.
We are enormously grateful for the opportunity to support all of our community heroes: our frontline workers, our teachers, and our friends and neighbors who continue to rise to the challenge and lend a hand to lift us up. Because of them, Middlesex County can look forward to a better today and a brighter tomorrow. We know that we can count on many kindnesses from our friends and neighbors as we move forward into a new year of new challenges and opportunities. Thank you for your generosity of time, talent, and resources to support a passion or area of interest. Thank you for 23 years of helping the CFMC make even the smallest gift have a big impact through charitable funds that support education, arts and culture, animal welfare, the environment, health and human services, economic security and opportunity, recreation, and so much more. We look forward to connecting you to a cause that matters to you and building a vibrant community together. We extend our best wishes for happy holidays and a healthy, safe 2021. Call CFMC at 860-347-0025 or visit www.MiddlesexCountyCF.org.