Lake County COVID-19 Response Fund selected for AbbVie grant

United Way of Lake County today announced a major gift from AbbVie to the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund. United Way of Lake County is one of 26 nonprofits around the world selected to receive funding from AbbVie’s COVID-19 Community Resilience Fund focused on relief efforts for vulnerable populations in hard-hit communities.

“With our global headquarters here, AbbVie shares the United Way of Lake County’s commitment to supporting our underserved neighbors,” said Melissa Walsh, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility & Global Philanthropy. “We thank the organization for using their many innovative support systems – from managing the 211 helpline to partnering with agencies on the front lines– to provide much needed relief in our community during this crisis.”

"At a time when high-risk communities are seeing an alarming demand for basic services, the AbbVie grant will greatly increase our ability to respond swiftly to those in need," said Kristi Long, President and CEO of United Way of Lake County. "We are so appreciative of AbbVie’s generous support in Lake County. The grant will increase essential services offered, enhance our response to growing and emerging issues identified through 211, and encourage safe volunteering."

AbbVie’s generous major gift, combined with incredible support from The Baxter International Foundation, First Midwest Bank, The Nielsen-Massey Foundation, Trustmark, Medline Industries, Takeda Pharmaceutical, The Julian Grace Foundation, United Conveyor Corporation, RoundTable Healthcare Partners and others, means the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund has now surpassed $700,000 in contributions received to date.

In addition to support from corporations and philanthropies, more than 550 caring individuals have contributed with gifts ranging from $10 to $5,000.

Lake County’s fund is aimed at meeting critical needs, such as emergency food and shelter, rental and utility assistance, essential basic needs for children and families, and other needs identified real time through United Way’s 211 helpline. Since March 20, United Way of Lake County has already disbursed four fund installments totaling $453,262 to 35 local nonprofits.

United Way of Lake County encourages gifts of any amount to help support growing needs in our community. All monies raised will stay here in Lake County. United Way covers all administrative costs so that 100% of donations are distributed directly to the recipient agencies. For more information about the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund, or to donate, visit LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/covid19.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF LAKE COUNTY
United Way of Lake County’s mission is to unite leadership and resources to create lasting change that will improve lives in Lake County, Illinois. United Way recently launched 211, a free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral helpline, providing personalized help guiding individuals and families in Lake County to available health and human services.

Through the support of our partners and supporters, we are transforming communities by delivering programs and services that are timely, effective and scalable, with results we can measure. For more information, visit LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org.