More Than $500K Raised for Lake County COVID-19 Response Fund

United Way of Lake County announced $535,000 has been raised so far for the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund to support local nonprofits providing urgent resources for Lake County neighbors in need.

The fund recently received major gifts of $100,000 from The Baxter International Foundation and $100,000 from First Midwest Bank in support of the effort.

“We’re proud to support local efforts to directly impact Lake County,” said Veronica Arroyave, executive director of the Baxter International Foundation. “At Baxter, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the communities where our employees live and work—an endeavor with heightened importance in today’s environment. Thank you to United Way and all of the outstanding nonprofits dedicated to meeting the needs of Lake County.”

“The Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund provides valuable relief and support to nonprofits serving residents and families in Lake County communities,” said Michael L. Scudder, Chairman and CEO of First Midwest Bank. “We are proud to partner with United Way of Lake County in this worthwhile effort and encourage others to join us in supporting our communities and each other during a time when it is needed the most.”

These generous major gifts combined with early support of $40,000 from Trustmark, $25,000 each from Medline Industries and Takeda Pharmaceutical, $20,000 from The Julian Grace Foundation, $15,000 from United Conveyor Corporation, $10,000 from RoundTable Healthcare Partners, among others, are already making a big impact responding to the COVID-19 crisis in our community.

In addition to support from corporations and philanthropies, more than 400 caring individuals have contributed to the fund with gifts ranging from $10 to $5,000.

Kristi Long, President and CEO of United Way of Lake County, expressed her deep admiration and appreciation for these donations. “I’m thrilled, but not surprised, by the generosity of our amazing Lake County neighbors. We’re proud United Way can be the channel through which their donations reach the people who need it most,” she said.

The 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 emerging needs identified real time through Lake County’s 211 helpline. In less than four weeks, United Way has already disbursed two fund installments totaling $213,262 to 14 local nonprofit organizations.

A third grant opportunity was announced earlier this week for nonprofits or IRS 170 townships actively meeting the needs of seniors and those providing critical behavioral and mental health services for children and families in this time of crisis.

The needs continue to outpace available funding with more than $620,000 in grant requests for the last funding cycle alone.

United Way of Lake County encourages those who can afford it to consider making a charitable gift with a portion of their stimulus check to the fund to help support growing and expanding needs. 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.