Merrimack Valley Magazine

AROUND THE VALLEY

Protective Gear for COVID-19 Responders Being Made, Donated by UMass Lowell Students

UMass Lowell students in the university’s 3D Printing Club are now using the technology to produce protective gear for frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19.

The effort allows students to put their education to work and solve critical problems in the community. The project, which started small in March, is now a 24/7 operation and has already produced hundreds of masks, face shields and “ear-savers” – straps that wrap behind the wearer’s head to hold masks in place – for area healthcare workers.

So far, the program has provided more than 300 ear-savers to Mass. General Hospital, 250 to St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua and smaller quantities to Lowell General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s We Share a Common Thread Fundraiser Now Live

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union is hosting the We Share a Common Thread Foundation 10th annual fundraiser to be held virtually through May 20.

The fundraiser features signature items from past events including a silent auction, gift card pull and the signature basket raffle with dozens of themed baskets prepared by Jeanne D’Arc employees. You can view the fundraiser here.

***

One Lawrence Fund To Help People Impacted by COVID-19

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Lawrence residents and organizations have stepped up by delivering food, securing shelter and creatively providing emotional support. Mayor Daniel Rivera, city councilors, state representatives and community leaders are announcing the establishment of the One Lawrence Fund in partnership with United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley to make sure that no Lawrence resident or family gets left behind.

The One Lawrence Fund will mobilize resources to provide emergency assistance to individuals and families impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. The fund will distribute gift cards through the community partners to cover the costs of rent, food, utilities, childcare, medications, and other basic necessities.

United Way has established the fund with an initial $100,000 and will distribute 100% of donations to Lawrence community organizations who will distribute it directly to families in need. Partners include The Center, Lawrence CommunityWorks, Groundwork Lawrence, ACT Lawrence and Greater Lawrence Community Action Council.

Enterprise Bank Helps Over 2,400 Local Businesses and Nonprofits Secure $500 Million in SBA PPP Loans

As an authorized lender for the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (SBA PPP) under the CARES Act Stimulus Program, Enterprise Bank has received SBA approval on approximately 2,400 loans to local businesses and nonprofits totaling over $500 million. This fiscal aid was a much-needed lifeline to many of the struggling business and organizations that comprise the backbone of the local economy.

The tremendous volume of PPP loans processed by Enterprise Bank was accomplished through the teamwork and tireless dedication of bankers across all departments. Each loan issued to a small business means that business can remain open and cover expenses including payroll, so their employees can be retained.

Merrimack Valley: Place and Meaning 2020

Thanks to a new cultural mapping project, residents of the 15 Essex County communities that make up the Merrimack Valley will soon have that opportunity.

Merrimack Valley: Place and Meaning 2020 will, for the first time and in one central location, highlight the region’s arts and cultural assets to better define what makes living in this area of Essex County meaningful.

The project is a partnership between Essex County Community Foundation’s Creative County Initiative, the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC), Tom Borrup of Creative Community Builders and Marquis Victor of Elevated Thought. Now they are asking you – the people who live, work and play in the Merrimack Valley – to put your personal stamp on it. From now through June 30, you are invited to go online to www.PlaceAndMeaning.mvpc.org to participate by identifying the places, events and celebrations that matter to you most, and to share stories, images, poems, songs and drawings that bring those things to life.

Survey Aims to Assess Greater Lowell Nonprofit Needs During COVID-19 Crisis

Hoping to assist Greater Lowell nonprofits feeling the impact of COVID-19 on their organization, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) has created and distributed a brief survey to determine immediate critical needs as well as services and fundraising.

Working with donors and funders, GLCF has distributed more than $630,000 to the local community to address critical needs through the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. The information culled from the Greater Lowell Nonprofit will identify additional ways GLCF can support local organizations. The survey has been shared electronically with the Greater Lowell nonprofit community, along with multiple partners from the community.

MRT Schedules New Classes

Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s professional training program for high school students, the MRT Young Company, goes virtual this year. Online class will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for three weeks, starting on July 13.

Additionally, Merrimack Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Courtney Sale will teach two new, one-week virtual theatre classes – one for adults and one for youngsters in grades five through eight – in June.

To read more and register, visit www.mrt.org/summerclasses.

The YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts 37th Annual Tribute to Women Honorees

Each May, YWCA of Northeastern Massachusetts honors a select group of remarkable women who contribute to the communities within our service areas at our Tribute to Women’s Luncheon at the Andover Country Club. However, in compliance with social distancing regulations, this year’s Tribute to Women will be a virtual event. The event will honor 22 women on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

To help support YWCA, or to learn more about the event, click here.

New Hampshire Begins Reopening Small Businesses

Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation and expenditure of an initial $400 million in emergency funding from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (“flex funds”) to provide emergency financial relief to New Hampshire small for-profit businesses due to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.

However, in order to provide the most effective relief as quickly as possible, New Hampshire small businesses desiring to obtain relief will first be required to provide information concerning their possible COVID-19-related lost revenues and receipt of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans or any other federal relief.

This prequalifying request for information began on May 15, 2020 and ends two weeks later on May 29, 2020. The short time period will ensure relief is quickly provided to mitigate any further damage to New Hampshire small businesses, keeping doors open and preserving jobs.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Lawrence Public Health Major Chosen as NECC’s Student Speaker

Public Health Major Rosanna Lara, the wife and mother of three young children, has been selected as the student speaker for Northern Essex Community College’s Commencement, which will be virtual this year. She was selected by a committee of faculty and staff, based on her 4.0 average and demonstrated leadership skills, and approved by Northern Essex President Lane Glenn.

Who We Are

Sections

Links