With summer just around the corner many local youth are gearing up for warm months filled with outdoor activities and time with family and friends.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for thousands of other children who lack the financial means necessary to access quality summer programs.

“There are a lot of great programs out there for children, but year after year access remains an obstacle for many deserving children,” said Michelle N. Hantman, United Way President, adding that escalating fuel and utility costs have only exacerbated the situation.

“When a parent is deciding between putting food on the table and sending their child to summer camp, the choice is pretty obvious.”

United Way of Greater New Bedford’s Summer Fund is once again striving to provide a positive summer experience to the children in our community who need it most.

Chaired by Senator Mark C. Montigny, since 1993 Summer Fund has provided grants to summer camps and enrichment programs so that local youth who face financial limitations or physical disabilities can attend at no cost.

“Children need to be involved in structured, character building activities and programs if we want them to grow into productive members of the community,” stated Sen. Montigny.  “It’s our job to teach them and it’s certainly not something they learn by hanging out on the streets all summer.”

Last year, Summer Fund awarded nearly $30,000 to 15 local camps and summer programs.  This level of funding was made possible through support from the Island Foundation, Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts – Acushnet Foundation Fund, designated United Way campaign funds, and donations from the community. 

Summer Fund supports a wide array of local camps and enrichment programs, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford, Trips for Kids, Community Boating Center, the New Bedford Art Museum’s ArtMobile! and the Diabetes Association’s Camp Kyle for children with diabetes and their friends.

One young participant in the YWCA’s Girls Giving and Growing program, which works to help young women build a positive self image, sums up the value of Summer Fund.

“The girls here are open-minded and don’t judge on appearance and I think this camp has a lot to do with it.  Thank you.”

Contributions to Summer Fund should be made payable to United Way of Greater New Bedford Summer Fund and can be mailed to P.O. Box 7823, New Bedford, MA  02742. 

United Way of Greater New Bedford

United Way of Greater New Bedford works to bring together individuals, businesses and organizations to address our community’s most urgent needs.  We believe that to truly improve lives in our region, we must act collectively to impact the critical issues affecting our neighborhoods – building a better community for us all.

Through an annual campaign, we provide funding to more than 60 programs at local health and human service agencies serving residents of New Bedford, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester and Wareham.  In addition, we administer a number of programs to address specific needs in our community.  Through the Hunger Commission of Southeastern Massachusetts we supply food to emergency soup kitchens and food pantries in Bristol County, while our Community Building Mini-Grants Program provides funding and skill-building opportunities to all-volunteer groups. In addition, our Volunteer Solutions database provides the only local online volunteer tool to match willing volunteers with nonprofits in need of support.

It takes our whole community working together to reach our goals.  Whether it requires fundraising, planning, or just getting people to work together, that’s what we do. 

We need your support!  Visit www.unitedwayofgnb.org to learn more about the different ways that you can help.

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