Port Washington Coronavirus: Community Response Fund Established

PORT WASHINGTON, NY—The Community Chest of Port Washington has established the Port Washington COVID-19 Community Response Fund to help residents impacted by the new coronavirus.

"We are making COVID-19 emergency grants to existing community and faith-based organizations that have strong experience supporting local families, particularly those that are disproportionately affected by this global pandemic and its economic consequences, including our frail home-bound senior citizens," Julie Meer Harnick, the nonprofit's executive director, posted on GoFundMe.

The Community Chest of Port Washington has set up a GoFundMe account to accept donations. The nonprofit hopes to raise $500,000. As of Thursday, the campaign has generated more than $30,000.

"Contributions to the Port Washington COVID-19 Community Response Fund will allow us to rapidly give out flexible resources for food needs, housing costs and other expenses related to COVID-19," Meer Harnick said.

All GoFundMe donations received by the Community Chest will be distributed to organizations helping Port Washington residents, according to the nonprofit. The GoFundMe campaign is a Certified Charity Campaign and donations to it are tax deductible, organizers said.

"Your receipt will be from FirstGiving, GoFundMe's charity partner. The optional 'tip' can be changed to '0.' GoFundMe is a free platform and uses the 'tip' for costs," Meer Harnick said.

The Community Chest of Port Washington is a not-for-profit organization established in 1949 to raise funds for distribution to local charities dedicated to improving people's lives. Community Chest funds support these charities' programs in Port Washington, including services for children, seniors, families, and everyone in our community, exemplifying the spirit of The People of Port Helping the People of Port.

To donate to the nonprofit's Port Washington COVID-19 Community Response Fund, click here.

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