Fall River Parents in Deep Water After Harsh COVID-19 Symptoms

Every year, Fun 107 and the United Way of Greater New Bedford join forces to make the holidays a little brighter for five families in need. Holiday Wish Week is all about providing support to struggling families by calling on the support of the community.

Watching the SouthCoast come together year after year is nothing short of inspiring, and today, we hope to provide some assistance to the Taveras family.

In the early stages of the pandemic, Anthony Taveras was stricken with COVID-19, before people really understood how serious this disease is. He became so ill that he had a stroke, leaving him paralyzed on his left side from his head to his toes. Through physical therapy, he was able to rebuild his motor functions and get back to work, but after contracting COVID a second time, it re-triggered his paralysis. This time, his doctor is uncertain if he will ever recover or work again.

Anthony contracted his second round from his wife, Linda, who fell ill after their daughter’s wedding. She spent two weeks in the hospital and now lives at home confined to her oxygen tank as she deals with 80 percent scarring on her lungs.

Anthony has recovered from COVID but continues to suffer through his paralysis as he keeps his wife company during her healing process.

With the support of each other and their four kids, Anthony and Linda continue to stay positive, but the harsh reality is the pile of bills keeps coming in with no source of income.

Things like a wheelchair, a shower chair, a nebulizer, and other medical necessities have maxed out their credit cards, and the need for more medical supplies is evident.

Christmas gifts are just not a possibility this year for their children, and it breaks their hearts.

From medical supplies to financial assistance to Christmas gifts, the Taveras family needs our help.

Text to Donate to Holiday Wish

Text WISHES21 to 243725. You will be sent a United Way e-link that allows you to make a donation via credit card to this family when you select the day and date of which family you wish to help from the drop-down menu.

Donate By Check to Holiday Wish

Make checks payable to the United Way of Greater New Bedford and in the memo line, write HOLIDAY WISH and the day and date of the family you wish to help. Checks can be mailed to United Way of Greater New Bedford, 128 Union Street, Suite 105, New Bedford, MA 02740.

Donate by Credit Card to Holiday Wish

You can make a secure donation to the United Way via credit card HERE. Select the day and date of the family you wish to help from the "Please Select a Family" drop-down menu.

All of our families are pre-selected through the United Way of Greater New Bedford. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the United Way directly.