NEARLY $16 MILLION TO LOCAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS

ORLANDO, Fla. (June 23, 2008) – Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) Board of Directors approved $9,331,841 in grants recommended by the Fund Distribution Committee on May 22 to support 155 local health and human service programs operated by 67 social service agencies. The funds will be distributed between July 2008 and June 2009.

In addition to the funds disseminated from the annual campaign, HFUW will distribute $6,437,358 in other monies, including designations to member and contract agencies and to other organizations.

HFUW also distributes community emergency funds, and Ryan White Part B funds that will help those affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS.

“Over the past three years, Heart of Florida United Way has experienced more than a $2.5 million increase through our annual campaign,” stated Robert H. (Bob) Brown, president/CEO. “We are very pleased to have the ability to provide major support to Central Florida’s most critical health and human service programs. Approximately, 361,000 residents in need in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties will be touched this year by those programs.”

The Fund Distribution Committee, comprised of community volunteers, is lead by Chair Donna Templin, project manager for Walt Disney World, and Vice Chair Debbie Clements, community relations manager for Progress Energy. This group reviewed funding requests and visited agencies in order to evaluate each program and determine how the community’s precious limited resources would be distributed.

“The Fund Distribution Committee ensures the community’s dollars are put to good and proper use, and that any funded program is using their allocations wisely and effectively,” stated Templin. “This group is comprised of volunteers from the tri-county region to help make funding decisions on behalf of the residents who donate through United Way.”

HFUW partner agencies receiving the 10 highest grants are as follows:
1. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Inc. $749,409.87
2. American Red Cross of Central Florida $572,084.03
3. Community Coordinated Care for Children, Inc. $488,803.13
4. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida Inc. $394,763.07
5. The Salvation Army of Orange County $374,633.03
6. Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc. $374,350.17
7. BETA Center, Inc. $356,620.17
8. The Center for Drug-Free Living, Inc. $355,467.25
9. Community Service Center of Central Florida, Inc. $258,210.57
10. QUEST, Inc. $237,804.74

“United Way is essential to the Coalition’s ability to help hundreds of homeless men, women and children on the road to self-sufficiency,” said Brent A. Trotter President/CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. “Our affiliation as a United Way partner agency provides crucial financial support and, just as important, affirms the vital role our programs and services play in the Central Florida community.”

With this grant distribution, the 2007-08 campaign comes to a close. The 2008-09 campaign officially kicks off in conjunction with the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce Trustees luncheon on Wednesday, September 10.

For more information about HFUW, please call 407-835-0900 or visit www.hfuw.org.
About Heart of Florida United Way
Heart of Florida United Way is Central Florida’s most comprehensive health and human services charity and the largest provider of funds to the region’s most critical health and human service programs. The organization also operates United Way, 2-1-1, Central Florida’s community information and referral helpline; a Volunteer Resource Center; a Gifts In Kind Center; a Stewardship program that works with agencies to provide emergency assistance; and the Ryan White Part B program, which administers nearly $2 million to much needed HIV/AIDS services and referrals. Heart of Florida United Way impacts more people annually than any other charity operating in the tri-county area, and partners with local businesses, government, other charities, and individuals to increase awareness of local health and human service issues and to inspire hope, provide options, and create possibilities for the people in our community.

For more information visit www.hfuw.org.