UNITED WAY OF PIONEER VALLEY'S

TORNADO RELIEF AND RECOVERY FUND

DISTRIBUTION CONTINUES

PIONEER VALLEY, Mass., May 3, 2011 – With less than a month to go until the one-year anniversary of the June 1 tornadoes that forever changed the landscape in our area, United Way of Pioneer Valley continues to distribute much needed recovery funds.
 
On June 2, 2011, the day after the devastating tornado hit the area, United Way of Pioneer Valley, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, set up a fund for relief and recovery efforts. “Our initial fundraising goal was to match our grant of $25,000,” said UWPV president & CEO Dora D. Robinson. “We exceeded that challenge in less than one week and raised over $320,000 to date!”
 
Of the total dollars raised, $25,000 went to the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter and $36,000 went to the Massachusetts 2-1-1- Long Term Recovery Fund leaving $264,000. The allocation team has awarded over $150,000 of the remaining funds to local organizations assisting those impacted by the tornado and will continue to focus its efforts on the “unmet” needs of the community.
 
To date funds have been allocated to: AWAKE, Catholic Charities, Pathway to Renewal, Raising Hope Together, South End Community Services, Monson/PTO, Monson Senior Center, Develop Springfield, Monson Community Read Program, Rebuilding Together Springfield, Square one, Trees Bring Hope and Pioneer Valley Montessori Schools.