3 hospitals among initial recipients of funding from Mohawk Valley nonprofit coronavirus relief fund

UTICA, N.Y. — Three  Mohawk Valley hospitals are among those receiving $150,000 awarded to nonprofits in the first round of funding of the Mohawk Valley COVID-19 Response Fund.

The recipients include Mohawk Valley Health System, Rome Memorial Hospital, Little Falls Hospital, Catholic Charities Oneida/Madison County, and Johnson Park Center in Utica.

Besides the recipients, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area (VGU) on Monday also announced that donors have raised more than $420,000 for the fund to this point.

The initial round of grantmaking reflects the local response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s directive that hospitals statewide increase capacity 50 percent to prepare for a rising number of COVID-19 cases, as well as programs that “provide direct human-services benefits for residents in need.”

These funds will allow for purchase of hospital supplies and equipment, increased food distribution, and access and support to agencies providing emergency assistance for individuals.

The Community Foundation and United Way of the VGU on March 20 announced the creation of a single community-wide fund to support organizations responding to human-services needs in Herkimer and Oneida counties resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“Major” contributions from M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund, the Rising Phoenix Fund, the Ronald and Sheila Cuccaro Family Fund, Mele Family Fund, David and Janet Griffith Family Fund, Bull Family Fund, and the Community Foundation and United Way VGU established the fund initially, per the release.

“Generous” donations from residents in both counties continue to grow the fund, as the need for community support is “expected to increase.”

Anyone who would like to make a contribution can visit www.mvcovidfund.com, the organizations say.