Westfield United To Shine A Light On Mental Health
Community Corner
Westfield United To Shine A Light On Mental Health Westfield United is aiming for more than 20,000 candles to line Westfield streets on Thanksgiving Weekend to shine a light on mental health.WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield United Fund (WUF) will again host Westfield United by Light, a fundraising event to support local mental health initiatives.
Last year's program featured 18,000 candles and raised more than $20,000 for WUF-supported programs focused on mental health. In 2024, WUF is increasing its goal for this program, aiming for more than 20,000 candles to line the streets of Westfield on Thanksgiving Weekend as we shine a light on mental health.
With the help of the local community, WUF plans to light up the town of Westfield on Saturday, Nov. 30, with candle luminaries lining the streets.
Candle kits are now available for the public to purchase for $20 per kit. Each candle kit contains 10 candles, 10 bags and sand for a total of 10 luminaries. To order candle kits, donors should visit westfieldunitedfund.org/unitedbylight.
Donors will also have the option of signing up for text reminders for the event. Candle kit distribution will take place Nov. 22 to 23 at the Memorial Pool Complex parking lot. Candle kits will be available for purchase through Nov. 23 or while supplies last. Instructions for pick-up and candle display will be provided upon purchase.
At dusk on Saturday, Nov. 30, the candle kits will be lit all over Westfield to show the community's support for important local mental health services.
"Mental health programming and services are an ongoing need in the Westfield community and beyond," said Tom Beck, the Executive Director of Jewish Family Services of Central New Jersey. "Jewish Family Services continues to provide mental health services at record levels in 2024. Requests are particularly strong for families, children and older adults."
WUF will commit the first $25,000 raised to local mental health programs offered at agencies affiliated with the Westfield United Fund: Caring Contact (suicide prevention hotline), Imagine (grief support for children & families), Jewish Family Services (non-denominational counseling for children & families), Youth & Family Counseling (outpatient mental health counseling), YWCA Union County (supporting teens impacted by domestic violence) and more.
New this year, we are excited to add St. Joseph's Social Service Center to our list of beneficiaries to support their Wellness Wednesdays program. All funds raised in excess of $25,000 will be allocated across the other agencies and local community programs supported by WUF.
Westfield United Fund is proud to be a locally-focused, grassroots organization that has served the Westfield Community & surrounding areas for more than 85 years. It is a 501c3 organization that provides funding to 20 local human care agencies & programs. WUF has remained true to its mission of helping people in the Westfield area care for one another, taking an active role in building a stronger community. Through the generosity of area residents, WUF has been able to distribute more than $32 million to the community through its member agencies.
