Don’t Let Your Kindness go to Waste: Give Responsibly after a Disaster

While we are thankful that our area escaped the devastating blow from Hurricane Ian, our hearts go out to our fellow Floridians who are dealing with the unfathomable destruction in Ian’s wake. As we watch the news, we’re so overwhelmed with grief and empathy when we see other people hurting that we feel compelled to do something to help – especially when a disaster hits as close to home as Ian did. Here are some tips about how to give responsibility after a disaster: 

211 Northwest Florida makes more than 100,000 referrals every year. That referral is often the first step to a better life.

“I was staying with my brother and his wife,” said Gay.  “I got my third DUI and was in the Escambia County jail for three and a half months.”

When Gay got out of jail, her brother told her she needed to find a program to help her and a place to live. Gay didn’t know where to turn. Her brother told her to call 211.

United Way of West Florida recently awarded $480,000 in grants to 25 local nonprofit agencies in support of 29 programs through the organization’s Community Investment Process. Programs operated by these agencies provide critical services to individuals and families across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in the areas of education, financial stability, and health. 

Helping veterans find the resources and support they need is personal for UWWF’s Florida Veterans Support Line (FVSL) team. And many times, it takes months of work to improve a person’s life.

An Army Veteran called FVSL in December 2021. He was recently released from prison and had a hard time finding employment. He was running out of money and facing eviction. 

A Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC) provided the Veteran with local resources to help him search for a job and possible housing. The VCC told him to call back anytime he needed more assistance.

Residents in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties can help feed hungry neighbors in need by donating to the Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday, May 14. 

This is the 30th year for the National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive – the largest, national, single-day effort to put food on the table for millions of Americans.

United Way of West Florida will hold its 28th Annual Day of Caring on Friday, February 25. 

This year more than 500 individuals have registered to roll up their sleeves for Day of Caring. They will complete projects at 29 nonprofit agencies and schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. 

The organizations getting help rely on Day of Caring to get important projects done.

When a fire devastated a Santa Rosa County family and destroyed their home, they dialed 211 for assistance.