The March 2020 lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the “People of Port” to come together when they asked how they can help their neighbors most in need.
Within weeks of shutting down, the Community Chest of Port Washington and Executive Director Julie Meer spearheaded the formation of the Port Washington COVID-19 Community Response Working Group. Bringing together people from our community and faith-based organizations (CFBO), the Town of North Hempstead, the Port Washington School District, the PW public Library, the PW Police Department, and the PW Crisis Relief Team, a task force was created to find solutions to address the emergency needs of Port Washington’s residents. The Port Washington COVID-19 Community Response Fund was established to make emergency grants for food, housing costs and other expenses to existing community and faith-based organizations that have strong experience supporting local families, particularly those that were disproportionately affected by the pandemic and its economic consequences, including our frail home-bound senior citizens.
In 2020, over $352,000 was raised for the Port Washington COVID-19 Community Response Fund and $41,500 for the Give PW Light & Love fundraiser in March of 2021.
Funding Provided:
Food: $43,100
Paper, Personal Care & Diapers: $135,525
Mask Brigade: $1,240
Rental Assistance: $96,500
Laundry Love (a program of the Port Washington Clergy Association – to provide laundromat vouchers): $3,600
Transportation: $3,000
Rental Assistance: $96,500
Meat the Need: $69,000
Program Highlights
Port Pantry Supply - At the onset of the Pandemic, basic personal care items were scarce, such a toilet paper and paper towels. Based on our assessment of the greatness of need and items that would make the most difference to families, we arranged with Raindew, Manhasset to provide items at cost, in bulk. We utilized Schreiber HS initially to take delivery and to store and distribute supplies. Eventually, when schools re-opened The Community Synagogue and the Lutheran Church of Our Savior provided space for storing, sorting and organizing.
A lasting partnership made through our relief effort was with The Nicholas Center (a grantee and tenant in the Community Chest building) They provide vocational training and community experiences for adults (18 years and older) on the autism spectrum. The Nicholas Center’s“Navigators” were our packing and distribution “arm” supplementing and eventually taking over the jobs done by volunteers.
When it was discovered that diapers were desperately needed by 50 of our outreach families because they are so expensive, we launched the diaper program. We applied directly to and received a grant from the Allied Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by Allied Physicians Group (of Long Island) whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of people in the community. The Allied Foundation Diaper Bank was established during COVID to provide diapers to partners across Long Island to distribute diapers. It was with the help of the Allied Foundation Diaper Bank supplementing our own purchases, we were able to provide all our families with size appropriate diapers each month.
The Navigators packed and delivered all the PPS bags each month and delivered to the CFBOs. Fresh fruit donations were made every month (from R Best Produce) during 2020. The Navigators provided help transporting food from out of town food pantries.
Port’s Meat the Need - Food pantries asked for help with meat. We partnered with Valley Meat on Port Washington Blvd. to provide meat at discounted price packaged in family-sized frozen parcels. The Navigators volunteered for pickup and distribution of frozen meat parcels from Valley Meat to the pantries.
Transportation Assistance - Funds were disbursed to CFBOs to help families in need with assistance getting around Port.
Helping Hands for Seniors - We coordinated local volunteers to provide contactless shopping for seniors so that they could avoid entering groceries stores during the pandemic.
The Pro Bono Attorney Team - Port attorneys volunteered their time and talent to assist families facing eviction with rental arrears settlements.
Other Services Offered During the Pandemic
Frail and Elderly Public Service Announcement - Working with the COVID-19 CCPW Oversight Committee and the Community Response working group, we crafted a Public Service Announcement about neighbors looking out for neighbors. PSAs were translated into 4 languages (Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and Korean by the PWPL), distributed to the community and posted on Patch and social media, as follows: CCPW Board, eblast to CCPW Donors, Community & Faith-based Organizations (part of PW COVID-19 Community Response working group), PWUFSD parents, Clergy ,Mayors/villages, Hadley House CSW, Landmark CSW, Soundview apartments, HarborView, MillPond Acres, Sons of Italy, VFW, American Legion, Grantees, Alpers Hardware, PWPL, & PW Patch
Vaccination Appointments - provided information and connected seniors with volunteers, organizations, or the Town of North Hempstead to assist with obtaining appointments when the vaccine was available. The Community Chest partnered with Mariann Dalimonte, Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman to accumulate and provide the Town with names of people over 65 (and now age 60) who wanted to get the vaccine, but who were unable to make vaccination appointments. The Town organized local pop-up sites where 44 residents were assisted with obtaining appointments. Additionally, a Nursing Professor at NYIT and her student team helped many others, with comorbidities get appointments throughout the region.
Port Washington Give Light & Love fundraising program - initiated by 3 local residents, Diane Livingston, Jill Carvajal and Bin Laurence, has raised over $41,000. 100% of donations were used to purchase gift cards from local area restaurants and then distributed to our 400 Outreach families.
Community Impact - Families Helped
Littig House Community Center: 78
Our Lady of Fatima Outreach: 122
Community Action Council: 63
St. Peter’s of Alcantara Outreach: 98
Parent Resource Center Outreach: 39
Our most heartfelt THANK YOU
Sometimes a tragedy brings out the best in a community and the residents of Port Washington and the People of Port responded to the COVID-19 crisis with their hearts, minds, and wallets. Without the generosity of the Port Washington community, the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic would doubtlessly have been far worse. Thank you donors, volunteers, business and elected leaders who are listed in our newsletters Winter 2021 and Spring 2021
