On September 13, 2018, the communities of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover experienced devastating gas explosions and fires, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old man, multiple injuries, more than 60 homes leveled or severely damaged and thousands of businesses closed.

In response, ECCF launched the Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief Fund. Together with state, local and nonprofit partners, the Fund raised and delivered more than $13 million in funding to more than 10,000 households and businesses affected and in grants to nonprofits supporting the long-lasting impacts of the crisis.