COVID-19
United Way statewide partnerships lead to COVID-19 relief
United Way of West Central Mississippi has joined with statewide partners to accumulate funds for potential relief for COVID-19.
“Our community has continued to be knocked down by crisis. From backwater flooding, to severe road damage due to huge amounts of rainfall and now combating COVID-19, one thing we never lose is love and hope,” said Michele Connelly, executive director of United Way of West Central Mississippi.
It’s during times like these when friends, family, and even strangers come together and ultimately persevere, Connelly said.
United Way of West Central Mississippi is a part of The Mississippi Association of United Ways, a state-led organization made up of nine United Ways leading the charge for the betterment of Mississippi. The association is pushing the #bettertogetherMS campaign. The goal of this campaign, Connelly said, is to shed light, share an encouraging word and remind our great state of Mississippi that together we can make it through the pandemic.
The Mississippi Association of United Ways are working together on a fundraiser to support COVID-19 relief across the state by selling T-shirts with proceeds going to each United Way in the association. Connelly said the idea came from the executive director of United Way of Southeast Mississippi located in Hattiesburg. She also said West Central United Way will only receive the funds if people from our area put in our area zip code when purchasing their T-shirt.
Forrest County was the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Mississippi and The Hattiesburg Clinic started the #bettertogherMS campaign at the beginning of the pandemic to spread positivity and hope.
Connelly said you can participate by purchasing a #bettertogetherMS T-shirt, and then posting a video or photo of yourself telling us what you’re doing with your time at home, using the hashtag #bettertogetherMS.
“We just want to spread awareness and positivity and to remind our great state that together we can make it through this; but first, we must continue to stay home,” Connelly said.
By purchasing a T-shirt you will help provide basic assistance to households who have lost income due to COVID-19. One hundred percent of the money from T-shirts will provide relief to those across Mississippi left vulnerable by this pandemic.
Purchase yours here:
https://your-company-name-2f4020f1-b8b8-47f1-948d-a76befee5840.printavo.com/merch/better-together
“This is a wonderful statewide campaign that can potentially help thousands of Mississippians,” Connelly said.
She said United Way of West Central Mississippi also has partnered with Entergy Mississippi and United Way World Wide to bring a small amount of relief dollars to Warren, Sharkey, Issaquena, Claiborne and Yazoo counties to assist with household essentials.
Beginning Monday, April 27, residents, of the listed counties who have lost their job and do not qualify for unemployment or had reduced hours due to COVID-19 are asked to complete an online application at https://www.123formbuilder.com/form-5407975/ followed by a phone interview to qualify for an online gift card.
“This is a first come first serve basis and will not last long,” Connelly said.
Please call the United Way office at 601-636-1733 for more information.
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