MIDDLETOWN — At the Middlesex United Way, we have always served to foster relationships with donors, and ensure that people in need receive the most capable assistance possible. We are dedicated to bringing the community together by finding solutions that strengthen lives by providing individuals and families access to quality education, and ensure they are economically stable, healthy, have access to safe and affordable housing, and a community that is anti-racist, equitable and inclusive.
Through our work, we partner with a wide array of businesses across Middlesex County. These various businesses are committed to creating an impact and improving lives in our community. As you may know, there are many ways to support local nonprofits, from giving to advocating to volunteering. The community, including businesses and their employees, all benefit from a vibrant nonprofit network.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Middlesex United Way, like countless other organizations, has had to rely on our community going above and beyond to help each other. To effectively give back, we need to ensure that the community’s need is truly understood, and organizations are supported to best assist with those needs. We understand the importance of leveraging our strengths to assist these other organizations.
In this spirit of connection, we are excited to announce the starting of a new Facebook group page, Middlesex Community Connections.
The purpose is to facilitate a way for nonprofits to let others know of their specific needs (including, but not limited to volunteers, events, furniture, office equipment, training, sponsorship opportunities, etc.) and allow the business community to respond or post with the assistance they can offer (such as used furniture, office equipment, expertise in marketing and IT, volunteer workdays).
Please consider joining this group if you represent a nonprofit, business, church, school, municipality or service club. This page is designed to help connect the businesses and nonprofits who may not know each other yet or know how they can provide mutual support. We believe that when one succeeds we all succeed.
Our page was inspired by the widely successful Shout It Out Facebook group created by the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, which was created as a way to keep the community informed what businesses were opened during the COVID-19 pandemic, let the community interact by sharing what goods and services local businesses are offering, and what creative initiatives businesses have been implementing. It has grown to over 1,000 members, with posts being shared daily.
“The Middlesex Community Connections page is a way to create a connection between the business community and the nonprofits working to make where we live, work, and play healthy and enriching environments for all,” said Michele Rulnick, president and CEO of the YMCA of Middlesex County. “Our business community wants to support nonprofits, but often does not know what is needed or how to get started.
“The Middlesex Community Connections page will highlight the specific needs of a local nonprofit, allowing a business or individual to offer their help in a meaningful way,” she said.
You can find the group on Facebook at bit.ly/2RSQfIt or by searching Middlesex Community Connections. We hope you will join us and invite others!
Kevin Wilhelm is CEO and president of Middlesex United Way in Middletown.
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