Amazon gift of $100,000 to the United Way to support Worcester youth
Worcester, Mass. — United Way of Central Massachusetts today announced a $100,000 donation by Amazon.
The United Way will use Amazon’s gift to support initiatives and programs that serve youth and teens this summer, including literacy programs, swimming lessons, art and science activities and more.
“Our community is stronger and better because of Amazon,” said Tim Garvin, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Central Massachusetts. “On behalf of the hundreds of Worcester youth and families who will be engaged this summer in much-needed programming, we say ‘Thank you!’”
“All of Massachusetts is stronger when the most vulnerable members of our community are cared for, children are able to learn and grow, and families are healthy,” said Jerome Smith, Amazon’s Boston Sr. Manager of External Affairs. “These are the goals that the United Way of Central Massachusetts is advancing every day, and it is exciting for us to partner with them to make Worcester a better place for all.”
Along with the United Way and Amazon, many youth serving agencies were part of today’s announcement, including partners such as the YWCA, who hosted the event and will be providing free swim lessons to Worcester youth and teens. Congressman James McGovern joined the group to say thank you. “This is about saving lives in addition to providing people with skills. We cannot thank Amazon enough for this commitment to the United Way of Central Massachusetts and the Worcester community,” said Congressman McGovern, “This is what communities are supposed to do; each of us represents a different part of this community coming together behind a common cause. There is nothing is more important than our young people.”
City Manager Ed Augustus shared his thanks to Amazon as well. “Thank you to Amazon for their commitment to the youth of our community,” City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. said. “Young people are 100 percent of our future. I am grateful for Amazon’s partnership and their commitment to support and strengthen the lives of so many in our community. The program that will benefit from Amazon’s generosity will have a lasting impact on our young people.”
About United Way of Central Massachusetts
United Way of Central Massachusetts connects people and resources to improve the community. We do this by partnering with agencies and organizations, and supporting initiatives aligned on four strategic areas—safety net, education, family stability, and health. Programs focus on taking care of immediate needs and providing the impetus for lasting, positive change within the 30 towns of its service area.
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.