EAST UKRAINIAN VILLAGE — A West Town neighborhood group donated $3,000 to COVID-19 relief efforts this week.
The East Village Association gave $1,000 to Arts for Illinois, $1,000 to The LEE Initiative and $1,000 to iBIO COVID-19 PPE Response Fund.
Arts for Illinois’ relief fund is providing support for artists and performers impacted by COVID-19.
The LEE Initiative is working with The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group to give free meals each day to laid off restaurant and bar workers at West Town Bakery, 1916 W. Chicago Ave.
The West Town-based restaurant group is also giving away meals to any and all people affected by the crisis at Fifty/50, 2047 W. Division St.
Finally, the iBIO COVID-19 PPE Response Fund is coordinating the direct purchase of protective medical products to support Illinois-based healthcare workers and first responders.
East Village Association president John Gantner said the three charities are providing a “direct impact” on those most affected by the coronavirus crisis.
“Our mission as an organization is to ‘to work together for the common good of the community with a positive community spirit,’ and this seemed like the best way to achieve that goal in these challenging times,” he said.
The donations were funded by money raised in recent years from membership dues. East Village Association membership is $15 a year for an individual or $20 for a household.
Founded in 1982, the association is a group of neighbors who live within the boundaries of Milwaukee Avenue to the east, Damen Avenue to the west, Chicago Avenue to the south and Division Street to the north.
Live in the neighborhood? Sign up to become a member online.
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