Local United Way makes fund-raising appeal to help Ukrainian people

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 March 2022 at 8:22 am

In the middle of fundraising efforts to benefit its 2022 campaign and promote new projects, United Way of Orleans County is shifting some of its focus to helping the war-stricken people of Ukraine.

“Today we do recognize our concern is broader than our county’s borders,” said Dean Bellack, director of United Way of Orleans County.

Bellack has announced United Way Worldwide, of which the local United Way is part of, has launched a global relief fund for the people of Ukraine. The money raised will provide refugees with food, shelter, medicine, transportation, hygiene kits and critical childcare supplies for infants, such as formula and diapers.

Some two million people have fled Ukraine, and experts predict four to seven million will be forced to leave before the war is over. United Way is stepping up to support those displaced by the violence by providing life-saving relief.

Through the end of May, anyone who makes a donation to United Way of Orleans County, can designate to have 20 percent of every dollar sent to the United Way Worldwide Ukrainian Relief Fund. That fund is guaranteeing 95 percent of money donated will go toward helping the refugees.

Bellack also stressed while United Way has always guaranteed that 100 percent of donations stay in Orleans County, it is proper for the agency to recognize the needs of the Ukrainian people at this time. He noted the remaining 80 percent of donations during this time period will still stay in Orleans County.

“This is the right thing to do,” Bellack said. “This is a way to make one gift count twice.”

There are several ways to give to the United Way. Donors can go to the United Way website or on their internet device and choose Cash App, Venmo or Text to Give. They still have the option to use a credit card or send a check to United Way of Orleans County, P.O. Box 188, Medina.