Help Haiti Earthquake Victims the United Way

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, most of us experienced a normal day. We went to work. We went to school. We saw our friends and family. We enjoyed dinner in the comfort of our own homes. However, while we did all this, tens of thousands of lives were lost as Haiti experienced the most powerful earthquake to hit the impoverished country in more than 200 years.

The earthquake hit about 10 miles southwest of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, destroying as much as 70% of the infrastructure. Debris-filled roads are impeding emergency response and thousands of men, women and children are living in the streets without food or clean water.

Time is so crucial for those in need and United Way needs your help! As search and recovery efforts end, the focus is shifting to relief efforts for helping survivors.

Supporting the nation’s long-term recovery, the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund is focusing on the most pressing needs, including food, shelter, clothing and health care. It is also addressing extended efforts to rebuild schools, housing and infrastructure.

Whether it is $5, $50, or $500, every contribution given will make a huge difference in this desperate time. A full 95% of every contribution will support efforts to rebuild the lives and structures that were devastated by the disaster.

Donations to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund can be made to help those in Haiti in several quick and easy ways:

• By phone, text HAITI to 864833 (UNITED) to make a $5 donation, or call toll-free at 1-866-404-5826
• Contribute online at www.liveunited.org
• Mail checks to United Way with the memo line reading “United Way Disaster Recovery Fund” to:
  United Way Worldwide
  P.O. Box 630569
  Baltimore, MD 21263-0568

For more information about the long-term recovery effort in Haiti or about United Way Worldwide initiatives, please visit www.unitedway.org/worldwide.

One Million Steps for Kids and Counting

Wow! What a great morning. Had a chance to take part in the One Million Steps Walk for Florida’s Kids, led by Bud Chiles, who’s on a mission to raise awareness and funding for programs that benefit kids – and ultimately the future of our state.

As the son of the late Florida Governor Lawton “Walkin” Chiles, Bud is literally following in the footsteps of his dad, a great public servant and child advocate who won support for his 1970 Senate campaign by walking 1,000-plus miles across the state to talk with voters.

Since Lawton’s death in 1998, Florida has made little progress in improving its national ranking ­­– currently 49th ­ – on issues related to children’s education, health, welfare and safety.

Hence the purpose of the Worst to First campaign. As Bud Chiles travels the state, he’s collecting signatures and pledges of support and calling on legislators to make kids’ issues a top priority.

Heart of Florida United Way, which has identified Developing Healthy Children & Families as one of its four focus areas, was pleased help organize support the local walk, which started the Orlando Day Nursery and continued around Lake Dot.

Joining us on the stroll were local child advocates from several organizations, as well as about 50 beautiful kids from the nursery who stole our hearts and really highlighted why this work is so important.

Note to self: See if Orlando Day Nursery needs volunteers.

Note to you: Click here to learn more, including what United Way is doing to help improve the health and lives of Central Florida’s kids.

Mary D'Ottavio works in Heart of Florida United Way's marketing department.