Fox Valley United Way hosts annual holiday assistance program for families in need
Fox Valley United Way held its annual Holiday Assistance Program providing 180 families, including 533 children, with holiday toys, everyday necessities, winter clothing and more. Through their Community Credits program, DoorDash gave $5,000 to Fox Valley United Way, allowing the organization to provide each family a gift card to use for a meal at home.
"With the holiday season in full swing, Fox Valley United Way is grateful to be able to provide assistance to so many families during this time of economic hardship. We're thrilled to have been able to give toys, clothing, and more to families to help make the holiday special for their children," said Michele Bergeron, Senior Director of Development & Engagement of Fox Valley United Way. "We're thankful to our numerous community partners for helping make our mission a reality this year."
Fox Valley United Way started its Holiday Assistance Program to help families who do not have the financial means to provide gifts for their children during the holiday season.
The program supports families in 23 communities throughout the Fox Valley region in Kane County and Kendall County.
"Fox Valley United Way is making a meaningful difference for hundreds of families in their communities, helping to brighten the holiday season through their Holiday Assistance Program," said Alexi Madon, government relations manager of DoorDash. "DoorDash is proud to be able to support Fox Valley United Way's work and hope all of the participating families can enjoy a good meal from a local restaurant this season."
As part of its larger commitment to empowering communities that have been hit hardest by the pandemic, DoorDash launched the Community Credits program in January 2021 as an innovative way to support nonprofit organizations across the city.
DoorDash awards Community Credits to individuals and organizations that are helping those in need gain access to meals and other essentials. By providing local organizations with these resources, DoorDash enables nonprofit partners to do more of what really matters: support their communities.
Through its community engagement programs, DoorDash has partnered with a wide variety of organizations in Chicago, including CHAMPS Male Mentoring, United Giving Hope, LaTanya and the Youth of Englewood, the Good Hope Free Will Baptist Church, Greater Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, Heartland Alliance's NEON Program, John A. Hamline Elementary School, South Side YMCA, Ravenswood Elementary, Sarah's Circle, TCA Health and more.
DoorDash also donated over $3 million in gift cards through the program to bolster local outreach and encourage community vaccination efforts to fight COVID-19 across the country.
Celebrating 100 years of service, Fox Valley United Way's history began in 1922 with the founding of the Aurora Social Service Federation. The organization incorporated the United Way name and community tenets in 1972 and was renamed the United Way of the Aurora Area. The name was changed in 2004 to Fox Valley United Way following the merger with the United Funds of Yorkville and Plano.
Fox Valley United Way represents 23 communities in Kane and Kendall Counties and supports over 50 social service agencies serving the families and individuals that reside within these communities. It is committed to ensuring that all families and their young children, birth to age five, have equitable access to early childhood resources and education.
Investing in the health, education and financial stability of all individuals in our community provides families and their children with a strong foundation to achieve success in school and life.
Fox Valley United Way has been inspiring hope for a brighter tomorrow for the past 100 years through numerous programs, grants and community outreach.
It serves Aurora, Batavia, Big Rock, Bristol, Campton Hills, Elburn, Geneva, Hinckley, Kaneville, La Fox, Lily Lake, Little Rock, Maple Park, Millbrook, Montgomery, Mooseheart, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Plattville, Sandwich, St. Charles, Sugar Grove, Wasco, and Yorkville. For information, visit foxvalleyunitedway.org or https://www.facebook.com/FoxValleyUnitedWay.