TAMPA, FL – April 21, 2020 – United Way Suncoast is please to announce that it will receive $75,000 in emergency funding to its COVID-19 Relieve and Recovery Fund from Florida Blue to provide much needed relief to our agency partners on the front lines providing immediate relief to individuals and families dealing with this current global pandemic.
“United Way Suncoast, our donors, and volunteers are working hard to serve our community at a time of greatest need. Our region’s business community and many generous individuals have contributed to our COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to ensure that we have the immediate resources to support the most vulnerable in our community and we are truly grateful for the generous support of Florida Blue during this critical time,” says United Way CEO Jessica Muroff.
“Florida Blue is collaborating with leaders and organizations across Tampa Bay to address critical needs facing our neighbors due to COVID-19. The lives of children, families and seniors across our community have been upended by this health crisis, and United Way Suncoast and its partner agencies are able to provide essential support to those in need,” said David Pizzo, Florida Blue West Florida market president. “We have been a longtime supporter if United Way’s work across Tampa Bay, and our community needs us to support their efforts now more than ever.”
In addition to providing the gift to UW Suncoast, Florida Blue will provide a two-to-one match to all employee contributions during the company’s employee giving campaign, which is currently underway. Recognizing the long-term economic and health effects that many hardworking families will face this year due to the pandemic, Florida Blue announced it will donate $2 to the employee’s local United Way impact fund for every $1 donated by the employee during the annual giving campaign.
“This donation is immediately being put to work to support the move vulnerable individuals and their families in our community. We are committed to helping our neighbors during this COVID-19 crisis. Thank you Florida Blue for your emergency support that will help us deliver on that. ” says Jessica Muroff, CEO United Way Suncoast.
About United Way Suncoast
United Way Suncoast fights for the education and financial stability of every person in the community through educational programs that give children the skills to succeed, helping adults achieve long-term financial stability and activating caring individuals through volunteerism. We are proud to serve the people of DeSoto, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties by operating and funding services and programs to help create a stronger, more vibrant community.