United Way of Southeast Mississippi (UWSEMS) has joined statewide partners in raising funds for COVID-19 relief.
“To say this has been a challenging time for our communities is an understatement. Our organization is getting calls every day from people who have suffered in the wake of this pandemic, many of whom have experienced a loss of income due to measures to slow the spread of the virus. But one thing this virus cannot take from us is our hope and perseverance,” said Tracie Fowler, president/CEO of United Way of Southeast Mississippi.
United Way of Southeast Mississippi is a part of The Mississippi Association of United Ways, which is a statewide organization made up of nine United Ways leading the charge for the betterment of Mississippi. The association is pushing the #bettertogetherMS campaign.
“The goal of the campaign is to spread awareness and positivity and to remind our great state that, together, we can make it through this pandemic,” said Fowler.
As part of the campaign, the Mississippi Association of United Ways is working together on a fundraiser to support COVID-19 relief across the state by selling T-shirts with proceeds going to each United Way in the association. United Ways will receive funds to support relief in their area as long as people from that area include their zip code when purchasing their T-shirt. The idea originated as a partnership between Hattiesburg Clinic and UWSEMS and has grown to include the statewide association.
“We are so grateful to Hattiesburg Clinic for this creative and thoughtful idea as a way to support our local COVID-19 Relief Program and all the work they’ve put into helping us launch this effort, from the T-shirt design to encouraging their own staff to participate,” Fowler said. “It’s such an important cause wrapped in a positive message that we felt it was something our entire state could get in on as a way to spread encouragement and extend a helping hand to communities served by United Way.”
Fowler said people can participate by purchasing a #bettertogetherMS T-shirt and then post a video or photo of themselves telling others what they’re doing with their time at home, using the hashtag #bettertogetherMS. United Way of Southeast Mississippi will specifically use funds raised from the T-shirt sale to provide rental and utility assistance to residents within its service area of Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Perry Counties.
“As our state attempts to move toward normalcy again, slowly reopening business and agency operations, it’s crucial that we remain cautious and keep in mind that, right now, we are still safer at home. And together in this effort, we will be better for it,” said Fowler.
Anyone who would like to purchase a shirt or make a donation to United Way of Southeast Mississippi’s COVID-19 Relief Program can do so at unitedwaysems.org/coronavirus. For more information, contact United Way of Southeast Mississippi at (601) 545-7141.