A $25,000 donation from Amazon will go towards hot meals and holiday gifts.
Union County, NJ – On Tuesday, December 21, the Union County Commissioner Board joined New Jersey State Senator Nicholas P. Scutari and United Way of Greater Union County to receive a ceremonial check marking the donation of $25,000 from Amazon. The funds have enabled the purchase of hot meals and gifts for Union County seniors and children.
Also helping to facilitate the project are local five local businesses: The Town Bookstore and The Learning Express in Westfield, the restaurants Il Forno’s in Rahway and Two Tony’s in Linden, and Adrian’s Caterers in Plainfield.
“On behalf of the Commissioner Board I would like to thank Amazon for the funds, and thank Senator Scutari, who was instrumental in coordinating this donation. This partnership with the Senator, Amazon, United Way, and Union County will help ensure that everyone in our community who needs a helping hand can feel included in the festivities of the season, especially children and seniors,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.
“Families, children, and seniors need our support now more than ever. They need to know they are seen, and that the Union County community is there for them. The holiday season is an especially sensitive time, and these new funds will help provide the emotional support that can make a real difference,” said James W. Horne, Jr., President and CEO of United Way of Greater Union County. “We thank Amazon for their contribution, and we thank all of our community partners for collaborating on this initiative.”
“Every act of kindness counts all the more at this time of year. I thank Amazon, United Way and the County of Union for helping to ensure that every child and senior citizen in our community can partake in the simple pleasure of enjoying a hot meal and receiving a gift during the holiday season,” said New Jersey State Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, who represents the 22nd Legislative District in Union County.
“As we continue to grow in New Jersey and specifically Union County, we want to be not just a good employer, but also a good neighbor,” said Colin Newman, Amazon’s Public Policy Director in New Jersey. “United Way of Greater Union County is a vital community anchor, and we’re glad these resources will help them reach more young people and seniors this holiday season.”
The Union County Department of Human Services collaborates with United Way and other local non-profits to provide essential services to Union County residents in need. United Way received the check from Amazon and coordinated with Union County to distribute the funds.
In addition, more than 1,300 families in Union County will receive donations through Union County’s annual Holiday Toy Drive, which concludes on December 22. To make a donation of a new toy, order from the UC Holiday Workshop on Amazon at amazon.com/hz/wishlist or use the drop-off bin in the lobby of the Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. For more information contact Nathalie Hernandez by email, at nahernandez@ucnj.org or ucholidaytoydrive@ucnj.org.
Union County also hosts emergency food distribution events each month. The emergency food program is an ongoing series established in May 2020 in order to assist households impacted financially by the COVID-19 outbreak. For details about upcoming food distribution events visit ucnj.org/covid19/food-distribution-events. Any Union County resident in need can come to any of these events, regardless of their home town.
To contact the Union County Department of Human Services, use the online contact form at ucnj.org/dhs, email the DHS Action Line at DHSaction@ucnj.org, or call the Action Line at 888-558-2288. Seniors age 60 and up can call the Union County Division on Aging at 888-280-8226.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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