“I Never Thought We’d Be the Ones Needing Help”

Every now and then we have a chance to follow up with people who’ve been helped through 2-1-1 and other United Way programs. It’s always amazing to hear their stories and see how just a little help at the right time can make a tremendous difference.

Take Pam for instance. She’s a local mom with four kids who looked familiar when we recently met at her house. Grateful for the help she received, she graciously agreed to share her story in hope that it might inspire others to give.

This time last year Pam and her husband, Tom, were both employed and doing well. But as the economic crisis worsened, the restaurant she helped manage shut down, and Tom’s hours as a traffic safety specialist were sharply reduced. Before long, they had exhausted their savings and couldn’t pay their bills.

Facing hunger, the loss of electricity – and even her home – Pam dialed 2-1-1 where she found timely assistance that helped the family stabilize their situation.

As she told her story, I realized why Pam looked familiar. She was the friendly, upbeat woman who always greeted my husband and me at our favorite breakfast place in MetroWest. When the café closed last summer, we were sorry for the owner and staff who’d worked so hard to keep it going.

Sitting in Pam’s comfortable living room, meeting her kids and hearing her story drove home the realization that none of us – no matter how secure we think we are ­– are immune to what’s happening today. Regardless of income, employment history or savings, people are losing everything they’ve worked a lifetime to achieve.

It also made me realize how important United Way’s Campaign is for thousands of Central Floridians like Pam who are struggling to survive. We often state that campaign contributions help more than 364,000 Central Floridians each year, but meeting just one of them changed my perspective.

This time next year, it could be me, my spouse or one of my kids needing help. We just don’t know – nor can we plan – for every unexpected crisis. Pam's words stay with me:

“I’ve always tried to live well and help others, but I never thought we’d be the ones needing help. We’re just deeply grateful for the assistance we received.”

Mary D’Ottavio works in Heart of Florida United Way’s Communications Department.
Donate now to make an immediate donation to help people in need.

Moving Volunteerism Up on the "To Do" List

by Juwon Ajayi

For the longest time, volunteering was just another item on my “to do” list. You know which list I’m talking about; the list that also has ‘clean out garage’ and ‘finish reading The Road’ on it. Anyway, I had every intention of doing it. Eventually. When things stopped getting in the way. Like Glee and Fantasy Football.

Honestly, I never thought about the impact one person’s volunteering could have. Then I heard about a great event ­ – United Way Days of Caring – that brings volunteers together from all across Central Florida to help local nonprofit agencies (which by the way are really hurting right now because so many people need help).

In September, more than 1,600 volunteers – everybody from Disney employees and banking executives to Lockheed engineers and UCF sorority sisters – rolled up their sleeves and pitched in. Before it was all over, 8,881 volunteer hours were donated, 61 projects were completed and 26 United Way partner agencies received much-needed help. Not too shabby, right?

More than 900 Lockheed Martin volunteers completed the final and largest project on Oct. 24. Held at The Salvation Army of Orange County, the project gave new meaning to the phrase “power in numbers.” Outside, 1,575 bags of mulch, 1,100 new plants, new benches and playground improvements helped spruce up the grounds. Inside, employees painted rooms, installed handrails for wheelchair ramps and much more.

Erin Kuykendall, an AT&T compensation manager who coordinated her company’s ‘Fun Day’ project at the Center for Drug Free Living, described the experience as “a chicken soup for the soul day.” In addition to collecting and distributing toiletries and other items for residents, employees hosted a catered barbecue lunch, games and karaoke contests. Erin said her group is already planning a follow-up project to keep in touch with the new friends they made.

Other Days of Caring projects included fitness activities at local Boys & Girls Clubs; a party for seniors at the Osceola Council on Aging; senior Olympics at Guardian Care Nursing & Rehabilitation Center; building a wheelchair ramp at the Center for Independent Living; and painting a ranger’s house for the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council.

In addition to Disney, Lockheed, UCF and AT&T, other organizations taking part included Adventist Health Systems, Publix Super Markets, Liberty Mutual, Coca-Cola, Fifth Third Bank and nearly 40 others that understand the importance of giving back.

The impact of volunteerism is undeniable. “We look forward to United Way Days of Caring every year,” said Judy Nelson, Executive Director of the Winter Park Day Nursery. “Due to labor costs, there are so many things our children and the organization need throughout the year that we are unable to provide. When the children see these volunteers working hard for them, to make their Nursery look so nice, it gives them pride.”

If that’s not a reason to move volunteering to the top of my “to do” list, I don’t know what is.

For information about how to get involved, contact Heart of Florida United Way at (407) 835-0900 or visit http://www.hfuw.org/.

Juwon Ajayi is a Rollins College student and United Way volunteer.