United Way of Central Mass. gifts $100K to assist in resettlement of Afghan evacuees

The United Way of Central Massachusetts made a gift of $100,000 to the Boston-based Fish Family Foundation as the U.S., state and Worcester welcomes evacuees from Afghanistan.

The foundation has issued a challenge and will match donations to the Afghan refugee resettlement effort in Central Massachusetts. It will match donations $5,000 and under, for up to a total of $100,000.

More:City prepares for arrival of Afghan refugees; resettlement agencies seek donations

“The United Way is poised to once again answer the call for action. Thank you to the Fish Family Foundation for creating this challenge, which will certainly bring in many gifts to the fund,” said Tim Garvin, president and CEO of United Way of Central Massachusetts.

Naomi Sleeper, board chair of United Way of Central Massachusetts, added that "we are 100% behind this effort. What an honor for our United Way to support this need, and how wonderful to that the Fish Family Foundation is influencing others to do the same.”

Afghans seeking shelter after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan are definitely coming to Worcester, city officials said Thursday. They're just not sure when.

According to the Associated Press, the state will welcome upward of 900 people from Afghanistan as part of the federal government's plan to resettle 37,000 Afghan evacuees in the U.S.

On Friday, the state Office of Refugee Resettlement welcomed the first Afghan arrivals to Boston.