COVID-19 Emergency Fund Launched

The Leonia Community Chest is pleased to announce the launch of a COVID-19 Emergency Fund.  Donations will support organizations that serve populations affected by the virus. Hardships confronting by families, seniors, and others include loss of income which can result in food and housing insecurity and difficulty meeting health and child care expenses. Priority will be given to organizations with limited budgets that face increased demand for services.

The community is invited to donate to help the Community Chest meet the challenges posed by the COVID-19 health crisis. Contributions by credit card can be made  here. In order for the donation to be earmarked for this fund, you must NOTE on the on-line form: “Payment to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund”, otherwise the donation will go to our regular fund. You may also send a check payable to the Leonia Community Chest and send to PO Box 68, Leonia, NJ 07605. Please note “COVID-19 Emergency Fund” in the check’s memo line. Donations are tax-deductible, as permitted by  law. 

Our Community Dinner Table receives grant from Leonia Community Chest

The Community Chest of Leonia is pleased to have received an $8,000 grant from the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) through its COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund. The Community Chest has passed these funds on to a new organization Our Community Dinner Table (OCDT) who provides a daily meal, at the Palisades Park library, to those in need while it supports local restaurants. Participants include young children and members of the local immigrant community who have been affected by the pandemic but who also may not receive government relief funds. Food, from local restaurants, is purchased from donations. Esther and Sam Chong, of Palisades Park, founded Our Community Dinner Table. Before receipt of this grant, the Community Chest had donated $1,500 of its Emergency funds to OCDT.

Leonia Community Chest was one of 54 non-profit  organizations, across Bergen County, who received funds from the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Rapid Response fund. A total of $240 million grants were disbursed, with $4,300 the average size of the grant. Major donors included: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Russell Berrie Foundation; NEC Financial Services; Visions Federal Credit Union.

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The Leonia Community Chest was pleased to award its 2020 Community Service Scholarship to Leonia High School senior Christy Choo.  This is the 3rd year the Community Chest has presented this award to a high school graduate for activities that help the community. Christy raised awareness about practices to benefit the environment and took actions that demonstrate her passion for the environment. She established, with two of her friends, LHS's Environmental Club. She organized movie nights, panel discussions, and recycling drives while sparking discussions about best environmental habits. She assisted the borough's Environmental Commission in handing out reusable bags and she worked with children to create a mural about climate change for the U.N. Peace Day. The Community Chest offers its best wishes to Christy in her future endeavors and hopes she continues to care for the environment.