The Unitarian-Universalist Church of Norwich has donated $30,000 to Norwich Human Services.

The two-part gift has been “earmarked to help people who fell between the cracks...who had emergency or desperate needs that could not be met through standard forms of assistance,” church spokesperson Wayne Silver stated in a December email.

A donation of $15,000 was made during the summer; another $15,000 contribution was made in November.

“We were just blown away because I know what a small group of people they are and I think it’s such a huge amount to give us to help Norwich residents. I was just really, really impressed,” said Norwich Human Services Director Lee-Ann Gomes during a telephone interview.

She said they have already used the first $15,000 donation to pay utility bills, rents, Internet and cell phone bills for people who lost their jobs.

“We chose to donate to Norwich Human Services because it was the most direct and effective way to help our community, and especially the most vulnerable members of our community, during a time of unprecedented misery,” Silver said.

He also shared that some church members “made special personal donations, and we dug deep into our reserves. It was a sacrifice, but we felt our community needed us more than ever this year.”

Without a building of their own, the 20 active members of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Norwich have held in-person services in the past at the United Congregational Church and Central Baptist Church in Norwich. Since those churches are no longer available, Silver said, “We are investigating alternatives but have not made any arrangements yet.”

Unitarian-Universalist Church members have also made donations this year to Three Rivers Community College Student Emergency Fund, St. Vincent de Paul Place’s soup kitchen and food pantry in Norwich, the Norwich Arts Council and Animal Welfare League of New London County.

Silver said the church has also made a long-term commitment to help American Friends of Kenya, a Norwich-based charity that helps the poorest regions of Kenya. “We believe in helping globally as well as locally.”

By the summer of 2021, Silver said, “We plan to donate a maximum of $60,000 for various charitable causes. Again, a great sacrifice for us, but we believe the times call for it.”

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