PRESS RELEASE
for immediate release
September 12, 2001 Contact: Lynn Helbling Sirinek
614-224-1344 or
Juliet Coles Rowland
614-224-8146
OHIO UNITED WAY AND OHIO GRANTMAKERS FORUM
TEAM UP FOR DISASTER RELIEF
A new disaster assistance fund has been established to help victims of the terrorist attacks yesterday in New York and Washington, D.C. The Ohio United Way and the Ohio Grantmakers Forum are working to promote The September 11th Fund which was established to help mobilize financial resources to respond to the pressing needs of the victims and their families.
Created by the United Way of New York City and the New York Community Trust, funds will be administered jointly by these two organizations to ensure that resources are deployed effectively. The effort is also supported by the respective sponsors’ national organizations, the Council on Foundations and the United Way of America.
Cuba Wadlington, Jr., executive vice president of the energy company Williams and president and CEO of Williams Gas Pipeline, announced yesterday an initial lead gift of $1 million by Williams to the Fund.
The Fund will provide immediate support to established emergency assistance agencies such as the American Red Cross, while also bringing together other nonprofit health and human service agencies.
“Along with the rest of the country, the people of Ohio have been touched deeply by yesterday’s events, and are looking for ways to reach out and help in a direct and meaningful way. The Fund gives them a responsible and effective vehicle to do this” said Ohio Grantmakers Forum President Lynn Helbling Sirinek.
Juliet Coles Rowland, president and CEO of Ohio United Way, commented “United Way has traditionally mobilized communities to help people improve their lives. There is no greater time when assistance from Ohio is more needed as America recovers from Tuesday’s tragedies.”
Donations to The September 11th Fund should be sent in care of the United Way of New York City, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Contributions are also being accepted online at www.uwnyc.org. Additional information is available by calling 212-251-4035. Donors have the option of specifying their gift for New York City or for Washington, D.C.
The Ohio Grantmakers Forum has over 200 members including community foundations, private and family foundations, corporate foundations and giving programs, and other grantmaking public charities in an effort to promote effective philanthropy. The Ohio United Way, established in 1913, works to improve the quality of life for individuals through public policy development, advocacy, and support for 100 local United Ways.