News & Events Westfield United Fund Reviews 2013 Requests This year’s Fund Distribution Committee include: Front row, left to right, John Toriello, Liz Mitchell Ryan, Karin Heffron, Colleen Echausse, Susan Taylor, and Rick Malacrea. Back row, left to right, Colleen McDonald Maz, Marcee Rogers, Gwyneth Cote, Kate Fleshler, George Kunath and Jon Walker. Not pictured: Jeff Pinkin [read more...] Welcome Our Newest Agency CASA of Union County (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is the newest agency to join the Westfield United Fund, bringing to 19 the total of human services agencies that receive WUF donations. [read more...] Annual Party Marks 75th Anniversary Campaign Kickoff The Westfield United Fund kicked off its 75th anniversary campaign with the annual Pillar Party honoring major donors at the home of Keith and Anne Wargo. Founded in 1937, the fund supports 19 local agencies that serve Westfielders in need. [read more...] > Read More Westfield United Fund News Make A Donation! Complete our secure online credit card donation form. > Make a donation!

Agency Spotlight: Literacy Volunteers of Union County Can you imagine not being able to read the back of a medicine bottle, fill out a job application, or talk with your child's teacher? Unfortunately, more than 25% of adult residents in Union County live with these limitations every day. Literacy Volunteers of Union County, is a non-profit organization that helps to improve the lives of adults in our county by teaching them to read, write and speak English so they can participate more fully in family, workplace and community life. The organization provides high quality instruction to adult learners by training, mobilizing and supporting over 200 volunteers as certified tutors in basic literacy, life skills and English as a Second Language. The Westfield United Fund is proud to now support Literacy Volunteers of Union County in their ongoing efforts to enhance the lives of more than 600 adult learners in their quest to: Acquire the ability to read, write and speak English Work towards a secondary school diploma or its equivalent Learn to read to their children and assist them with their school work Achieve personal goals like obtaining a driver's license or becoming a U.S. citizen, and Increase their ability to obtain better jobs and to be more productive workers For ten years, Elizabeth Gloeggler, Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of Union County, along with her dedicated staff and countless volunteer tutors like Susan Petrow (pictured here), have dedicated themselves to serving local adults with the greatest educational and financial need. In fact, Ms. Gloeggler was recently awarded the 2012 “Women of Excellence Award” by the Union County Commission on the Status of Women, for her ongoing commitment and tireless efforts within our community. For more information on Literacy Volunteers of Union County, or to volunteer to become a tutor, please visit their website at www.lvaunion.org. Westfield United Fund Answers Red Cross Emergency Appeal The Westfield United Fund approved an emergency grant of $5,000 to the Raritan Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross at its first trustee meeting this fall. The funds were earmarked for disaster kits and hot meals for disaster victims in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Volunteers from the Red Cross chapter, which is based in Westfield, provided shelter, clean-up kits and hot meals to hundreds of families in Westfield and Cranford who were displaced by power outages and flooding following Hurricane Irene. “As a longtime resident of Westfield, it is easy to think disasters don’t happen here, but Hurricane Irene and subsequent Tropical Storm Lee proved otherwise,” said Suzanne Lutz, executive director of the Red Cross Raritan Valley Chapter. “This grant allows us to replenish the fund for clean-up kits and meals against future disasters.” The WUF grant will provide $2,000 for hot meals that are prepared and served by Red Cross workers and delivered to shelter sites through their mobile feeding program. An additional $3,000 will be used to purchase clean-up kits for over 100 families, including mops, brooms, and disinfectants and comfort supplies such as toiletries and wash cloths. “The Westfield United Fund is very fortunate to have funds in reserve to answer just such emergency appeals,” said Linda Maggio, WUF executive director. “Thanks to the generosity of so many Westfielders, we are able to provide assistance when and where it is needed, above and beyond the fund’s regular allocations.” Last year, the Westfield United Fund contributed $35,000 to support the senior citizen transportation and handyman programs provided by the Red Cross, which has been a WUF member agency for over 50 years. Caring for Westfield We urge all Westfielders who participate in a United Fund campaign through payroll deduction plans at work to give directly to the Westfield United Fund by designating their contribution to Westfield United Fund code: 00-1530. The Westfield United Fund has always had an excellent reputation for efficient and effective distribution of funds to help solve community problems. All contributions go directly to the services provided by our community based member agencies. > View Our Member Agencies