Holiday Wish 2023: The SouthCoast Made a Difference, Again

As Holiday Wish Week comes to a close, the Fun 107 morning show is in awe of how the SouthCoast community came to the aid of these five incredible families.

Every day this week, we helped a family in need, and every day, the community showed up by offering generous donations, creating a better future for these special families.

Fun 107 and the United Way of Greater New Bedford would like to give a heartfelt "Thank You" to the SouthCoast community.

Here's what we have to say about your generosity.

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Maddie Levine

Times are tough for so many people, and with the cost of living putting a strain on everyone, not many families have any money to spare. But the SouthCoast community showed incredible generosity by donating whatever they could, and it made my heart grow two sizes.

Whether it was $2 or $2,000, the community made such a difference in the lives of these five families, and it was so inspiring to see community members band together as total strangers and unite for one reason: to give back to those who need it most.

Michael, Gazelle and I are indebted to you all for making an incredible difference.

Michael Rock

Another year of Holiday Wish Week is in the books. We launched this program with a totally different concept than most charities.

Normally, if you give to a major charity’s general fund, you have no idea where, specifically, that money is going. Holiday Wish Week with the United Way is the polar opposite. You know exactly where that money is going. You hear their voices telling their story. You may know the families from school or around town but never knew their struggle.

Holiday Wish Week gives SouthCoast residents a chance to give back to people who live and work right here. This program has probably directly benefitted your children’s classmates and their parents. Holiday Wish Week allows you to gift a SouthCoast family with something very specific and personal in an increasingly impersonal world.

Gazelle

After nine years of producing, taking phone calls, and constantly being surprised by generous local businesses and listeners, I still have trouble finding words to show my gratitude and thanks toward the SouthCoast community.

The magical spirit of Christmas is thriving, and when you add the generosity and wholesomeness that is Holiday Wish Week, it’s an absolutely beautiful complement to the Christmas season. I couldn’t be any more thankful for anyone who has stepped up to help our families not only this year, but every year we do this alongside the United Way of Greater New Bedford.

That alone makes me proud to live here in the SouthCoast among such amazing people.

Victoria Grasela, United Way of Greater New Bedford

The way the SouthCoast comes together every year for Holiday Wish never ceases to amaze me and shows how much is possible when the community rallies together – it’s incredible!

Providing support to families through programs like Holiday Wish can be life-changing and set families on a path toward stability. Holiday Wish only scratches the surface of what we do at United Way of Greater New Bedford all year long. Whether we are delivering food through our Hunger Commission, advocating for families and providing resources through our Family Resource & Development Center, or connecting volunteers with opportunities to give back through Volunteer SouthCoast, we are providing essential services.

Our work would not be possible without the support of businesses and individuals (of all ages) who give, advocate, and volunteer to make an impact. Thank you for supporting the SouthCoast!

Donate to Holiday Wish Families

You still have an opportunity to help these families. Donate to any of the five families by the end of the year by texting WISHES23 to 26989. You will be sent a United Way e-link that allows you to donate via credit card to families when you select the day and date of which family you wish to help from the drop-down menu.

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 St., Suite 105, New Bedford, MA, 02740.

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.

Read the stories here:

Fall River Mother Flees Violent Home to Start New Life

Westport Mother Pays Over $900 a Month for Wheelchair Van

Fairhaven Family of 9 Ready to Rebound

New Bedford Man Suffering From Stage 5 Kidney Failure

New Bedford Mom Struggling After Son's Recent Diagnosis

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