It’s not too late to donate to the United Way Holiday Fund, which is in jeopardy of not reaching its goal. United Way of Northern New Jersey is asking area residents to consider a donation that can help sustain area families facing an emergency no matter the time of year.

North Essex donors contributed nearly $30,000 to the Fund last year, helping 100 North Essex individuals and families get through an emergency. Unfortunately, the Fund has raised just $12,000 for this year.

“I know that today’s economic conditions have affected not only our clients, but our donors as well,” said John Franklin, CEO of United Way of Northern New Jersey. “Even before Hurricane Sandy hit, our community was already facing unprecedented need. That need still remains. Please consider that any amount you can spare may be all the difference for neighbors in crisis.”

For the past 30 years the United Way Holiday Fund has supported emergency financial needs, helping people avoid eviction, keep the lights and heat on, and manage unforeseen medical expenses. The majority of those who have received assistance from the Fund were one-time recipients who needed help weathering an unexpected hardship.

This Fund helps those in North Essex’s 11 communities who struggle not only during the holidays, but all throughout the year. Due to the region’s high cost of living, many are struggling daily to make ends meet and can’t put aside any savings for an unforeseen event, such as a health crisis, a costly car repair or a natural disaster.

United Way research shows that 20 percent of North Essex households are at risk of falling into poverty when faced by just one emergency.

United Way rigorously screens each candidate for the Fund to verify their financial need and to leverage other community supports that may also be available. Candidates are eligible for assistance if they live in the Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Montclair, Roseland, and Verona.

All donations go directly to families in need; none are used to support United Way administrative costs.

Please send your tax-deductible contribution to United Way of Northern New Jersey, 60 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042. Please note United Way Holiday Fund in the memo. For more information, email Elizabeth.Rodriguez@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call 973.746.4040, x201.

Donors to United Way Holiday Fund as of Jan. 3
Caldwell
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cummings
Barbara J. Vitkowsky

Cedar Grove
Mrs. Aubin Z. Ames
Mr. Thomas F. Lugaric

Essex Fells
Mr. and Mrs. Greg M. Gupton
Mr. Peter S. McMullen

Livingston
Fred L. & Melita Koehler
James Lynch
Richard J. & Rosemarie Russo

Montclair
Pat A. Ackershoek and Dana Austin
Mrs. Twyla F. Banitch
Deborah V. H. Cook
Charles J. & Elizabeth Earl
Thomas P. Giblin
Virginia L. Keith
Kathrine A. McLendon
Luis C Pi-Sunyer
Ora Phelps
Ms. Sarah J. Olson and Mr. Paul A. Swanson
Alicia S. & Beatrice Rehl
Richard A. & Ann A. Stanton
Judith C. & William H. Turner
Peter S. Wald or Lisa Germany-Wald
Mr. and Mrs. W. Todd Walter
Carmine & Mercedes Zichelli

North Caldwell
Patricia K. Sottili
Elwood C. Walker

Roseland
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harvey Alexander
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Renda, Jr.

Verona
Gene M. Young

West Caldwell
Mr. John W. Coffey
Robert P. & Sally B. Foster
Suzanne S. Price

Non-Essex Locales
Lincoln Park – Ronald H. Williamson
Rockaway – Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Sablynski
Frenchtown – Maureen Paterno-Santoro