United Way of the Coastal Empire is partnering with WTOC-TV to host a virtual telethon on Wednesday, April 29 to raise money for the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund. The fund will be used to help families retain stable housing by assisting with rent, mortgage, and utility payments when grace periods are not offered and to provide financial assistance for additional critical needs such as medical expenses and child care. Additionally, United Way will provide emergency funding to its partner agencies with a demonstrated increase in demand for services and/or decline in revenue due to COVID-19.

Viewers can tune in to WTOC-TV on Wednesday, April 29 beginning at 4 am for information on ways to help. United Way employees will be available starting at 9 am to help callers make donations via phone.

How to donate:

Text UWCOVID19 to 41444

Visit uwce.org to donate online

Call 912-651-4006 from 9 am to 8 pm to make donations via phone

“Everyone has been impacted by this pandemic, and United Way and its funded agencies are meeting the challenge head-on at home, helping those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the outbreak,” said Larry Silbermann, Vice President and General Manager of WTOC-TV and United Way of the Coastal Empire Board Chair. “WTOC-TV never hesitates to lend our support to our community in good times and bad.  This COVID-19 crisis is no exception. It’s affecting all corners of our region and we’re proud to be a part of helping our friends and neighbors.”

On March 24, United Way of the Coastal Empire announced the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund to help families retain stable housing by assisting with rent, mortgage, and utility payments when grace periods are not offered and to provide financial assistance for additional critical needs such as medical expenses and child care. More than $240,000 has been raised to provide individuals and families who struggled to consistently afford the basics even before the pandemic.

Through the 211 call center and community service centers in Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, United Way has been connecting citizens with resources that can help them through struggles related to COVID-19. Last week, the United Way received nearly 5,000 calls – four times the amount of calls from the prior week.  The greatest needs of the community primarily are housing, food, and utilities related; but as the crisis builds, it creates more critical needs for our community.

Additionally, United Way of the Coastal Empire continues to support its funded agencies working on the front-line. This year, United Way is proud to award the Community Fund Program Grants to 81 health and human service programs at 53 nonprofit organizations across Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty Counties.

“As a grantor to 53 of our community’s highest performing nonprofit agencies, United Way was designed by the leaders of the community for the benefit of our community. Funds raised during the fall fundraising campaign help maintain a safety net of non-profit social services year after year for our community’s long-term stability,” said Brynn Grant, President and CEO of United Way of the Coastal Empire. “Programs offered by our funded agencies are essential not only to help local families survive this crisis but also to ensure that they will thrive long after COVID-19 is a distant memory. While we are hopeful a return to business may not be too far off, our recovery will be a longer-term effort.”