GLCF annual Celebrate Giving event highlights strong community connection during pandemic

On Thursday, October 1, 2020 the Greater Lowell Community Foundation hosted its annual Celebrate Givingevent virtually.

The event featured First Lady of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Lauren Schadt Baker, co-founder of the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, as its keynote speaker and was hosted by Christa Brown, founder of Free Soil Arts Collective.

Throughout the spring and early summer, Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund provided support for populations most impacted by COVID-19 such as essential frontline workers, seniors, children and youth, the food insecure, and vulnerable populations including the homeless, immigrants, undocumented, and those with disabilities.

First Lady Lauren Baker

With funding from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, GLCF was able to distribute 70 grants to 48 Greater Lowell nonprofits totaling $2,161,030. “I’ve been so inspired by the work that GLCF has done over the past several months,” Baker shared. “It’s incredible and so many people have benefited from your work and your deep roots and connections in your community so thank you for letting me share this celebration with you.”

Trinity president John Chemaly

Trinity E.M.S., Inc. received the 2020 GLCF Business Philanthropy Partner Award for their exemplary work on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. “What the community foundation has done during COVID for the community is just give and give and give and so many people have been beneficiaries of GLCF’s generosity, and Trinity is happy to be part of that,” said Trinity president John Chemaly, as he accepted the award.

Levenia Furusa, executive director of Dwelling House of Hope

The inaugural GLCF  Community Connector Award was given to Levenia Furusa, executive director of Dwelling House of Hope. Community members nominated individuals and organizations for this award who had stood out in their support of individuals and/or their community through one or more extraordinary acts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furusa shared her thoughts on receiving the GLCF 2020 Community Connector Award “I want to thank GLCF for recognizing our work here at Dwelling House of Hope. Even in times of the pandemic, they stepped up and made sure that the community was taken care of.” 

To learn more about the Greater Lowell Community Foundation visit www.glcfoundation.org. A video of the Celebrate Giving event is available on the GLCF homepage.

Since March, through grants from its GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and the Massachusetts COVID Relief Fund, the foundation has supported 105 local nonprofit organizations with 185 grants totaling over $2.7 million. Donations to the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund can be made online at www.glcfoundation.org or by mail to the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund c/o GLCF, 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202, Lowell, MA 01852.