AUGUSTA--The Augusta Kiwanis Club has awarded its annual major gift of $4,271 to the United Way of Kennebec Valley's (UWKV's) COVID-19 Response Fund. This gift will support children and families across the Kennebec Valley with access to basic human needs.

The club, which was founded in 1922, has been dedicated to serving children in the Kennebec Valley community for nearly 100 years by addressing the immediate needs of our youth. This year, with the precautions that are being taken to combat COVID-19, the need has drastically increased in the community. While many organizations are working hard to meet those needs, the Augusta Kiwanis Club chose to designate this year's major gift to UWKV's COVID-19 Response Fund, which has been helping the community holistically.

"Kiwanis Club holds an annual auction and the proceeds are donated back into our community to help children thrive," said Jennifer Coffin, president of Kiwanis Club. "We feel fortunate to have the ability to support UWKV with our major gift from the auction. Kids need Kiwanis and partnering with local organizations like United Way ensures that children are taken care of."

The gift will go toward helping unemployed families feed and care for their children--ensuring that the next generation will not go hungry and has a safe place to live.

"We are truly grateful that the Augusta Kiwanis Club has elected to support the region's most vulnerable children through United Way's COVID-19 Response Fund," said Courtney Yeager, executive director of UWKV. "Youth are the future of the Kennebec Valley, and Kiwanis is helping us ensure that children have the support they need to thrive during this unprecedented time."

United Way's COVID-19 Response Fund has helped more than 16,000 people in the Kennebec Valley access basic human needs during this crisis. The grant from the Augusta Kiwanis Club will help an additional 854 kids in our community stay healthy.