LEWISTON — The United Way of Androscoggin County has been selected to administer the Governor’s Lewiston Fire Relief Fund and will distribute donated funds to organizations that are directly helping victims of the fires of April 29, May 3 and May 6.
An anonymous donor has agreed to match every dollar donated through this Friday, up to $10,000. According to a press release from Joleen Bedard, executive director of the United Way of Androscoggin County, more than $2,000 had been received by Tuesday morning.
The anonymous donor, a former resident of Bartlett Street, contacted the United Way on Tuesday and offered $10,000 in matching funds. The United Way urges people to give by Friday to make the most of the matching gift.
To donate, visit www.volunteermaine.org or send contributions directly to United Way of Androscoggin County and indicate “Lewiston Fire Relief Fund” in the memo line.
Late Tuesday, L.L. Bean made a $50,000 corporate gift to the Lewiston Fire Relief Fund. According to Bedard, L.L. Bean hopes this leadership gift will help inspire other Maine companies to give generously to help the fire victims.
Also on Tuesday, Northeast Bank announced a $5,000 donation to the YWCA of Central Maine, which will be directed toward its newly created Lewiston Fire Victims Fund. The fund is a new YWCA initiative, established in response to the growing needs of victims affected by the recent downtown fires. All donations will help victims buy critical necessities and household items as they work to rebuild their lives.
“Northeast Bank has been an early supporter of our efforts to assist fire victims, and I cannot thank them enough for their generous donation to help establish our fund,” said Kathy Durgin-Leighton, executive director of the YWCA of Central Maine.
Individuals who would like to donate can make checks payable to the YWCA Lewiston Fire Victims Fund and mail or deliver the donation to 130 East Ave, Lewiston, ME 04240. Individuals can also donate online by accessing the link on the YWCA of Central Maine’s Facebook page.
The YWCA is accepting donations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact the YWCA at 207.795.4050.
More coverage of the Lewiston fires:
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