HURRICANE MARIA PUERTO RICO RELIEF FUND BOLSTERED BY $5,000 DONATION FROM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER NEW BRITAIN

New Britain, Conn., September 29, 2017 – Just days after joining with other local agencies and civic leaders to establish the Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain has made its own $5,000 donation to the very fund it will manage.

Community Foundation leadership has approved the allocation from discretionary funds in an effort to not only provide desperately needed financial support for those in Puerto Rico stricken by Hurricane Maria, but to encourage others – local members of the business community, organizations and companies – to do so as well.

“On behalf of the board of directors, we are proud to support this fund and hopeful that our gesture not only helps those in need, but inspires others to join with us,” said Community Foundation Board President Larry Tanner.

Establishment of the fund by the Community Foundation, in partnership with the American Savings Foundation, HRA of New Britain and with leadership from Mayor Erin Stewart and State Representative Bobby Sanchez of New Britain, was announced late last week. Contributions from the two Foundations and the community together total more than $20,000. The fund aims to serve as a central and local charitable hub for those in New Britain and surrounding communities who wish to support, through charitable donations, the more than 3.4 million Puerto Rican citizens ravaged this week by Hurricane Maria. According to 2015 Census data, more than 30 percent of New Britain residents identify as being of Puerto Rican descent.

“There are thousands right here in New Britain and surrounding communities whose family members have been directly and tragically impacted by this cataclysmic event,” said Community Foundation President David Obedzinski. “For those in New Britain, this storm literally hit home.”

The American Savings Foundation and the Community Foundation have pledged to cover all administrative fees related to the fund to ensure that 100 percent of donations go to help hurricane victims and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. Grants will be made from the fund primarily to community action agencies serving Puerto Rico who will be assisting victims of the Hurricane long after the emergency efforts end. A committee with representatives from HRA of New Britain, the American Savings Foundation, and Community Foundation of Greater New Britain among others will participate in the granting process.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, manage permanent charitable assets effectively, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.

To donate online, visit www.cfgnb.org and click on the Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund link on the home page. To donate by mail, make a check payable to the Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund and mail to Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, 74A Vine Street, New Britain, CT 06052.