The Blog http://liveunited.org/ en Copyright 2010 2010-09-01T20:13:22+00:00 Serve and Remember on 9/11 http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/serve-and-remember-on-9-11/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/serve-and-remember-on-9-11/ Local United Ways and numerous other organizations are offering a myriad of volunteer opportunities in observance of the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance.

“September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance was started through the efforts of 9/11 family members and support groups as a way to honor the victims and heroes,” said Tom Weiksnar, board member of United Way of Martin County (Florida). “Volunteers throughout Martin County will join with volunteers throughout the United States to rekindle the spirit of unity that followed the attacks, to honor the lives lost, and the heroes who responded.”

United Way of Greater St. Louis is sponsoring the 9/11 Week of Service and Remembrance.  Volunteers can choose to sign up for more than 50 projects on 9/11 and throughout the week.  Activities include preparing care packages for troops, serving as a mentor, assisting senior citizens and beautifying neighborhoods and buildings.  UWGSL also is holding a candlelight vigil and performances by the St. Louis police choir and the Marine Corps Base Albany Band on the evening of September 11th.

In addition, new educational resources are available to help America's children learn about what happened on 9/11 and why, and to inspire students to annually pay tribute through their own voluntary expressions of charitable service.  Eighteen different online lesson plans, videos and photos, guides to assist teachers and parents, and tips to help students adopt charitable causes for the day and create service projects are available free of charge from the 9/11 National Day of Service Initiative.  The tools are geared for students between the 5th and 12th grades, but resources are available for almost every school age group. An estimated 10,000 teachers are expected to utilize the resources this year.

The 9/11 National Day of Service initiative is led by a coalition of organizations that includes the Corporation for National and Community Service, HandsOn Network, and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York.   To find out how you can participate in your community, contact your local United Way, or enter your zip code here

]]> Volunteer 2010-09-01T19:13:22+00:00 UPS delivers hope on Hurricane Katrina’s 5th anniversary http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/ups-delivers-hope-on-hurricane-katrinas-5th-anniversary/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/ups-delivers-hope-on-hurricane-katrinas-5th-anniversary/ Five years after Hurricane Katrina, hundreds of families are still living in temporary housing in the Greater New Orleans Area. Thanks to UPS and United Way, the Treaudo Family recently moved into a permanent home. UPS partnered with the United Way No Place Like Home campaign, generously donating funds to sponsor the rebuilding of the Treaudo’s home and more than 50 UPS volunteers who worked on five homes throughout New Orleans.

UPS has also committed an employee, as a loaned volunteer, to help a United Way community partner maximize rebuilding efforts. The volunteer will develop warehouse and inventory control processes to increase the capacity to accept in-kind contributions of building materials and tools. This expertise could result in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of in-kind contributions to rebuild houses. Since 2005, UPS has donated more than $2 million and countless volunteer hours to recovery efforts. Read more.

]]> Income, Social Responsibility 2010-08-30T13:16:01+00:00 Medtronic & Lilly support United Way through Back to Football Friday http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/medtronic-lilly-and-others-support-united-way-through-nfl-back-to-foot/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/medtronic-lilly-and-others-support-united-way-through-nfl-back-to-foot/ The National Football League (NFL) is planning a first-of-its-kind, nationwide campaign to engage fans with the launch of the 2010 football season. They've chosen United Way as their online and workplace partner in "Back to Football Friday," which encourages and incents fans to wear NFL apparel (or team colors) to work and school on September 10, the day after the 2010 football season begins. In addition to generating excitement for the return of football, the campaign will promote the NFL and United Way's youth health and wellness work.

Companies such as Eli Lilly and Company and Medtronic, Inc. are participating in Back to Football Friday with employees in locations across the country donning their NFL gear on September 10. As part of their football-themed United Way campaign, some Medtronic locations are even hosting tailgate parties. Learn more about Back to Football Friday.

]]> Health, NFL, Partnerships, Social Responsibility 2010-08-30T13:08:13+00:00 Five Years After the Hurricanes http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/five-years-after-the-hurricanes/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/five-years-after-the-hurricanes/ August 29th marked five years since Hurricane Katrina hit. United Way is part of the community – there long before a catastrophe strikes and long after first responders have moved on. Five years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States, and all of us, whether we had a personal connection to the area or not, felt a powerful responsibility to help.

United Way’s No Place Like Home campaign is working to help more than 500 families still living in “temporary” FEMA trailers move into permanent housing. So far, over 10,000 people have signed No Place Like Home’s pledge to rebuild New Orleans, and 400 families have moved back into permanent homes.

On this fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we invite you to join us. Rebuilding the Gulf has taken a tremendous effort, but together we can finish the job. You can give, so families can finally leave the temporary FEMA trailers and return to the communities they love. You can advocate by adding your voice to the No Place Like Home campaign. And you can volunteer to rebuild a home.

Back in 2005, as the magnitude of the disaster became apparent, United Ways in New Orleans, the Gulf Coast and across the country mobilized to help.

rebuilding the gulfUnited Way’s 2-1-1 became the designated number to dial for all social services in Louisiana. At its peak, 2-1-1 was responding to 7,000 calls per day, helping those affected by the disaster find shelter locations, food stations, volunteer referrals and donation information.

United Ways in the area provided relief and rebuilding assistance, while those that received large numbers of evacuees helped them to rebuild their lives, whether they chose to settle there temporarily or became permanent residents.

Five years later, empowered by our supporters, we’re is still working to rebuild the Gulf Coast, ensuring these communities stand on a solid foundation for the future. We won’t stop until everyone has access to the building blocks of a good life: a quality education that leads to a stable job, a steady income that supports a family, and good health.

We’re recruiting individuals and institutions from all across the country who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done.

Since 2006, more than 1,000 young people have participated in United Way’s Alternative Spring Break, spending their spring vacation rebuilding the Gulf Coast and returning to their communities as passionate advocates for this work.

We all have a stake in creating a healthy, prosperous community. And we all have a stake in ensuring that the Gulf Coast is rebuilt stronger than it was five years ago.

]]> Advocate, Disaster Recovery, Income, Volunteer 2010-08-28T12:55:34+00:00 Vote today and help us earn $250K for Gulf recovery http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/vote-today-and-help-us-earn-250k-for-gulf-recovery/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/vote-today-and-help-us-earn-250k-for-gulf-recovery/ Spend one minute of your time to change a life. 

Go to refresheverything.com/sbp and support the No Place Like Home Campaign by voting for United Way’s partner, the St. Bernard Project.

Sunday marks five years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, and many are still living in temporary housing.  Amidst the prolonged recovery from Katrina, fishing communities are reeling from the oil spill, the second disaster to strike their communities in less than five years.

United Way's No Place Like Home Campaign, in partnership with the St. Bernard Project, has worked to rebuild 22 houses in the Gulf and since Katrina hit. These disasters not only leave people in financial ruin, but also have a profound effect on the mental health of the hardworking families trying to rebuild their lives. A recent study estimates that one in five people in the region has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and many others report feeling anxious, depressed and even suicidal.

For a building to be stable for the long term, it needs a solid foundation. The same is true in life, with the building blocks for a solid life being a strong education, financial stability and good health.

United Way is committed to rebuilding New Orleans, and we’re recruiting the people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done.

We invite you to be a part of the change. Advocate for the families of New Orleans by voting to extend mental health programs to the families affected by Hurricane Katrina and the oil spill in the Gulf.

Together, we can help our partner St. Bernard Project win a $250,000 grant to extend the hours at their existing mental health center, open an additional mental health center nearer to those most affected, train and employ 20+ peer-to-peer counselors, create more than 30 livable wage construction jobs for affected fisherman and help rebuild more than 170 homes with volunteers.

By participating in the No Place Like Home Campaign, you’ve pledged to stand with the families of New Orleans who are still without permanent housing. Spend just a minute of your day to help extend that support by visiting refresheverything.com/sbp and voting for the St. Bernard Project.

 

]]> Advocate, Disaster Recovery, Income, Partnerships 2010-08-25T18:22:57+00:00 Global Corporate Leaders recognized in Fortune http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/global-corporate-leaders-recognized-in-fortune/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/global-corporate-leaders-recognized-in-fortune/ United Way is pleased to recognize all Global Corporate Leadership (GCL) companies in a full-page ad in Fortune magazine’s 2010 Global 500 issue. Collectively, GCL companies donate more than $1 billion and 25 million volunteer hours annually. The ad was part of a 14-page United Way special advertising section on corporate social responsibility and will reach an audience of more than four million. Many thanks to the GCL companies who helped sponsor the section, including Spirit of America and Summit Award winners and companies who partnered with United Way on major national programs. United Way is proud to recognize these special partners: Kellogg Company, General Mills, Inc., Procter & Gamble, Wells Fargo, Dominion Resources, UPS, Bank of America, JCPenney and Walmart.

]]> Partnerships 2010-08-23T17:43:32+00:00 Thanks a billion, UPS http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/thanks-a-billion-ups/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/thanks-a-billion-ups/ This summer, the UPS Foundation and UPS employees and retirees reached an incredible milestone - donating $1 billion to improve lives and local communities in partnership with United Way since 1982.
 
In 2009, UPS’ charitable contributions totaled nearly $100 million, including more than $55 million from their 2009 workplace campaign. UPS employees and their families also contributed more than 1.2 million hours of volunteer service last year through the company’s Global Volunteer Month and Neighbor-to-Neighbor program. UPS, a two-time winner of the United Way Spirit of America Award, uses all its resources to give back, whether it’s loaning UPS executives to local United Ways, rebuilding a house in the Gulf Coast to help families still living in temporary FEMA housing after Hurricane Katrina, or donating autographed NASCAR merchandise for eBay auctions to benefit United Way. Read more.

]]> Partnerships 2010-08-23T17:26:31+00:00 Join United Way’s Campaign for the Common Good http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/join-united-ways-campaign-for-the-common-good/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/join-united-ways-campaign-for-the-common-good/ This year, 1.2 million high school seniors will not graduate.  That means some 6,000 students will drop out today.  The numbers are even grimmer for young people of color.
 
Every parent’s dream is for our children to succeed – and for their success to surpass ours.  But today’s young Americans are less likely to earn a diploma than their parents, a grim distinction not shared by any other industrialized country.
 
Oscar®-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) reminds us that education “statistics” have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of Waiting for “Superman”. As he follows a handful of promising children, Guggenheim undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, surveying “drop-out factories” and “academic sinkholes,” methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems. However, embracing the belief that good teachers make good schools, Guggenheim offers hope by exploring innovative approaches taken by education reformers that have—by reshaping the culture—refused to leave their students behind.
 
Join United Way's Campaign for the Common Good, and pledge to see this important film through the widget below.

]]> Advocate, Education, Partnerships 2010-08-17T16:21:35+00:00 New Orleans families moved into permanent homes, but 572 families remain in FEMA trailers http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/572-families-in-new-orleans-still-in-fema-trailers/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/572-families-in-new-orleans-still-in-fema-trailers/ No Place Like HomeWe are happy to report that nearly 400 families have been able to move out of temporary FEMA trailers and into permanent homes since we launched the "No Place Like Home" campaign back in April. Thanks to the generous donations and volunteer work of people like you, New Orleans families are returning to the communities they love.

However, there are 572 families still living in temporary trailers next to the rubble they once called a home. No one should have to wait for five years to get their life back and regain financial stability. We won't quit until all families affected by hurricane Katrina are back in their permanent homes.

The outpouring of support for this caused has been tremendous and we are grateful. More than 10,000 people have added their voices and are standing with the displaced families, letting them know that they have not been forgotten. We hope to double the support in the two weeks leading up to the 5th anniversary of Katrina. We would like to see 20,000 people add their names by August 29, 2010, and send a message that enough is enough -- one of American's favorite communities must be rebuilt.

Please help us get to 20,000 supporters by adding your name here and help spread the word. Together, we can help rebuild this community, one family at a time.

 

Links:

]]> Advocate, Disaster Recovery, Income, Volunteer 2010-08-13T12:42:36+00:00 Help Children Succeed in School:  Plan a “Back to School Supply Drive” http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/help-children-succeed-in-school-plan-a-back-to-school-supply-drive/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/help-children-succeed-in-school-plan-a-back-to-school-supply-drive/ school suppliesHaving school supplies they need to achieve helps keep kids focused and learning at school.  With school starting up again soon, August is a great time to organize a school supply drive among family, friends or an even larger community of people who know how important it is to help at-risk youth get the school supplies they need to succeed in the new school year.

United Way of Cullman County held its first school supply drive on the National Day of Action, held annually on June 21.  “It was not that difficult to put together” said Jacqueline B. Schendel, Marketing Communications Director.  “We did not get sponsors for this event, but may in the future.  It did not cost us any money.  We had free advertising with our local paper, radio station and TV stations.  We promoted it for several weeks and requested people drop off supplies at our office.  We stood in front of Walmart one day and collected over 90 percent of the supplies.  It was a great way for us to give back to the community.”
School supply drives are flexible and can be tailored to your community.  Here are the three basic steps to organizing a school supply drive:

  1. Begin with the end in mind.  Ask schools or youth-serving organizations agencies that will receive the supplies what they need, when they need it, and how it should be packaged so that the supplies can be stored and distributed easily.  While you are at it, ask how they would like to be involved!
  2. Recruit partners.  Identify and recruit partners to serve as collection sites, supply sorters, transportation providers, etc.
  3. Execute:
  • Collect supplies. Make it easy to be involved. Provide the sites with what they need to promote the supply drive within their organization and collect the supplies
  • Sort supplies.  Many hands make light work.  Hold a “sort-a-thon” and make it fun.
  • Deliver supplies to schools or agencies who will provide them to children in need.

To learn more about planning a school supply drive, download United Way’s School Supply Drive toolkit.  And learn more about how to make an impact on education.

]]> Education, Volunteer 2010-08-08T18:28:37+00:00 NNAMDI ASOMUGHA TEAMS UP WITH UNITED WAY http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/nnamdi-asomugha-national-spokesman-nfl-united-way-partnership/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/nnamdi-asomugha-national-spokesman-nfl-united-way-partnership/ Giving to others was a lesson imbedded at an early age by his parents, who after moving to the United States from Nigeria always sent back part of their earnings. Asomugha started making regular visits to the East Oakland Youth Development Center, committing almost every Monday afternoon since 2004 to mentoring and tutoring inner-city youth at the center.

In 2007, Nnamdi founded the Asomugha College Tour for Scholars (ACTS) an annual college tour and mentoring program which provides high-achieving high-school students of color the opportunity to visit college campuses across the country.

He is the chairman of Orphans and Widows in Need (OWIN) Foundation, a charity founded by his mother, Lilian, that provides food, shelter, medicine and scholarships to orphans and widows in Nigeria. The organization supports two community centers and plans to expand to other countries in Africa.

Nnamdi has been invited to the Clinton Global Initiative, a public-service effort founded by former President Bill Clinton, to speak about his commitment to education.  Nnamdi was also voted one of 16 players for the Home Depot Neighborhood MVP for his commitment to community service in 2007. As a result of his hard work throughout his community he has been nominated for the NFLPA Byron Whizzer Award every year since 2005. Asomugha is also a finalist for the 2010 Jefferson Award for Public Service, which honors volunteerism in America and is considered the “Nobel Prize” for community service.

For more information about Nnamdi’s philanthropic work, visit his website at www.asomughafoundation.org

In June 2010, Nnamdi teamed up with United Way volunteers to provide 47 Bay Area youths with professional clothing and accessories as well as job interview training.

 

 

]]> Health, NFL 2010-08-02T15:02:43+00:00 United Way Launches the “No Place Like Home” Campaign http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/united-way-launches-the-no-place-like-home-campaign/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/united-way-launches-the-no-place-like-home-campaign/ It’s been nearly 5 years since the hurricanes devastated New Orleans, yet there are 971 families still living in temporary FEMA housing. Until those families have rebuilt their lives, United Way’s job isn't over. And the recent oil spill has only made the situation throughout the Gulf Coast worse. But we won’t give up on a better future.

We invite you to join us.

 

]]> Disaster Recovery, Income 2010-07-17T19:20:37+00:00 United Way raising awareness for youth health with “Back to Football Friday” http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/united-way-and-nfl-teaming-up-for-back-to-football-friday/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/united-way-and-nfl-teaming-up-for-back-to-football-friday/ This fall, NFL PLAY 60 and United Way are teaming up for Back to Football Friday, an exciting campaign to advance youth health and wellness as a national priority.

We are encouraging fans of all ages to show their NFL team pride at work and in school on September 10 in celebration of the start of the NFL season and to join our efforts to end childhood obesity.

How to Participate

On Friday, September 10, join fans and activists across the country by wearing your favorite NFL team's jersey or colors.

When you do this, you’ll be sending a message to America that you support the NFL and United Way’s efforts to end childhood obesity. To make an even bigger impact, team up with your friends and coworkers and plan an event at your home, office or school. Click here to see how kids and schools can get involved.

As a bonus, when you sign up to participate with your friends and coworkers, you’ll be eligible to win a free trip to the Super Bowl!

]]> Health, NFL, Partnerships 2010-07-17T19:10:04+00:00 Gifts for Grads: The United Way American Express Gift Card http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/partners-amex/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/partners-amex/ Know a great graduate but don't know what to give them to celebrate their success? The United Way Charity Gift Card from American Express makes the perfect gift to honor their accomplishments and give back at the same time. For every gift card sold, American Express will donate the $3.95 purchase charge to United Way Worldwide. Celebrate your graduate's achievement and new opportunities while advancing the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. 

Click here to buy your United Way Charity Gift Card from American Express today!

 

]]> Partnerships 2010-07-16T18:51:37+00:00 GE Appliance Outlet Store and United Way http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/partners-ge/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/partners-ge/ Check out some great appliances at the GE Appliance Outlet Store. Here you can find great deals on discontinued, closeout and overstock new GE appliances that include the product warranty and free delivery. Support United Way as two percent of every purchase benefits United Way.

 

]]> Partnerships 2010-07-16T18:49:37+00:00 Polo Ralph Lauren Supports United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/partners-ralphlauren/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/partners-ralphlauren/

Ralph Lauren invites you to Give in Style. April 6 - April 12, 2010 enjoy 25% off your entire purchase at Ralph Lauren Stores and RalphLauren.com. In addition to the savings, Ralph Lauren will donate 10% of your purchase (up to $100,000) to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund in support of recovery efforts in Haiti and Chile. To Give in Style, download the invitation and present at any Ralph Lauren store, or enter code GIVERL when shopping online at RalphLauren.com

Polo Ralph Lauren also continues to make giving fashionable as it
joins United Way in aiding Haiti through this difficult time and for years to come.  Polo Ralph Lauren has made a donation on behalf of its top customers and designed a limited edition Haiti Relief Polo Shirt all to benefit the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. 100% of the proceeds from the polo will be donated to the Fund.

Polo Ralph Lauren is also promoting a donation site to help generate contributions for United Way from consumers and employees, and has committed to matching all Polo Ralph Lauren employees' donations.

United Way is proud to partner with Polo Ralph Lauren to raise funds for the relief efforts in Haiti. Buy your polo today to lend your support!

 

]]> Partnerships 2010-07-16T18:45:37+00:00 United Way partners with Kimberly Clark Corporation - Huggies® Every Little Bottom http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/partners-huggies/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/partners-huggies/
A groundbreaking new study reveals a startling issue – 1 in 3 American mothers struggle to provide diapers for their babies.  These mothers have had to cut back on basics such as food, utilities like heat or electricity, or even child care in order to provide enough diapers. HUGGIES® is committed to raising awareness about diaper need and mobilizing communities to get involved so that, together, we can help more babies have enough diapers.

The Huggies Every Little Bottom program was created with a single mission: to help get diapers to babies in need. Huggies will donate up to 22.5 million diapers in the U.S. and Canada in the coming months as the first step to a multi-year commitment to help address diaper need.  Learn more at www.EveryLittleBottom.com. You can help too by donating or spreading the word:

  • Donate to approved diaper banks across the country. Find the one closest to you here. Can't find one close by? You can also donate online through each organizations' Amazon Wishlists.
  • The opportunity for you to take action will continue to grow as the HUGGIES® Every Little Bottom program works with national and community partners across the U.S. to address diaper need. Please help us spread the word. Tell a friend today and join the conversation at:

United Way is proud to partner with Kimberly Clark Corporation, a Global Corporate Partner, on their Huggies® Every Little Bottom program to raise awareness about diaper need and to help address that need in communities across the U.S and Canada.  By addressing diaper need, United Way will help to create healthier, happier babies and help families who are struggling financially meet their basic needs.

 

]]> Partnerships 2010-07-16T18:42:37+00:00 Once-in-a-Lifetime Concert Experience with James Taylor and Carole King to Benefit United Way http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/taylor-king/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/taylor-king/ This summer, James Taylor and Carole King are teaming up on their Troubadour Reunion tour to make extraordinary Stage Seats available to benefit a select number of charities, including United Way.

In collaboration with Tickets-for-Charity®, we have a special opportunity to access one-of-a-kind Stage Seat Charity Packages for this historic tour. As the very best seats in the house, Stage Seats are nested around the stage in intimate VIP tables of two to create a phenomenal, up-close concert experience with this legendary duo.

Stage Seat Charity Packages benefit two environmental charities Ms. King and Mr. Taylor support – plus United Way when you select us at checkout! Packages include:

  • One VIP Stage Seat (arranged in tables for two)
  • Special access to Carole King and James Taylor's sound check session before the show
  • Pre-performance VIP reception with complimentary wine, beer and hors d'oeuvres
  • VIP Tour Laminate
  • Commemorative Troubadour Reunion Tour Book

In addition to Charity Packages, Premium Seats are also available for select dates.

This is just one of many opportunities to access fantastic concert seats that we'll be teaming up with Tickets-for-Charity to bring you. Great seats to see Sting, Tim McGraw, the Eagles, John Mayer and many more are also available on www.ticketsforcharity.com to benefit United Way Worldwide (simply select us at checkout)!

 

]]> Partnerships 2010-07-16T18:32:37+00:00 2-1-1 Press Conference with Congresswoman Anna Eshoo http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/2-1-1-press-conference-with-congresswoman-anna-eshoo/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/2-1-1-press-conference-with-congresswoman-anna-eshoo/ On July 7, 2010, United Ways of California, United Way of the Bay Area, and United Way Silicon Valley, along with several corporate partners, hosted a press conference at the UPS facility in Sunnyvale featuring Representative Anna Eshoo. The event called for the passage of HR211, the Calling for 2-1-1 Act, which would ensure the sustainability and nationwide availability of 2-1-1, a help line where people can talk to information and referral specialists about where to get services or to find volunteer opportunities. Representative Eshoo, a lead sponsor of the bill, and other speakers emphasized that now is the time for action.

]]> 2-1-1, Education, Health, Income 2010-07-07T18:54:37+00:00 United Way’s Response to the Earthquake in Chile http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/united-ways-response-to-the-earthquake-in-chile/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/united-ways-response-to-the-earthquake-in-chile/ The United Way system in Latin America has mobilized to respond to the catastrophic earthquake that hit Chile on the morning of February 27. United Way's local organization in Chile and other United Way members in the Latin American region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders and resources in response, and will work together to determine the most pressing long-term recovery needs.

On the Ground in Chile

David Carter, the executive director of Corporacion Sociedad Activa, United Way's local organization in Chile, sent a report on February 27. Excerpts include:

I regret to communicate with you under these circumstances. But it is important to report what happened in much of Chile.
Today, Saturday 27th February at 3:35 in the morning there was a tremor with characteristics of earthquake in much of Chile… The quake, according to records of international and national agencies in charge of the subject, had an intensity between 8.5 and 8.8 degrees on the Richter scale. The cities with the highest population density in the country, [including]  the regions of Valparaíso, O'Higgins, Maule,Araucania and, [are] hardest hit. Authorities estimated at 2,000,000 houses damaged and nearly 214 people dead and 15 missing.

In Santiago metropolitan region, the quake was felt most strongly in central and southern sectors of the city. The historic center of Santiago, near La Moneda and the civic center of town, has many buildings of the last century [that] suffered severe damage in cracked walls, and landslides hinder the normal traffic on the streets. Also, many high highways [collapsed]. Fortunately, the traffic at that hour was not as speedy, preventing a greater tragedy. There are fires in the industrial north of the city which added the airborne dust, covering the capital with a gray cloud, besides the fear of gas leaks. I pray [that you will] be patient in the sending of information due to the fragility of the communications system. [You] can also follow us on Twitter, we report the facts and relevant information: @UW_Soc_Activa

 

]]> Disaster Recovery, International 2010-03-01T18:46:37+00:00 United Way Worldwide President on CBS News Sunday Morning http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/united-way-worldwide-president-on-cbs-news-sunday-morning/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/united-way-worldwide-president-on-cbs-news-sunday-morning/
]]> Education, Health, Income 2010-02-07T18:20:37+00:00 South India Flooding http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/south-india-flooding/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/south-india-flooding/ India has witnessed its worst flood catastrophe in 100 years. Heavy rains, 600% higher than normal, in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have left behind a trail of death and destruction. Over 1 million people in Karnataka and around 1.7 million in Andhra Pradesh are left homeless as their houses have been partially or fully damaged. Karnataka has estimated its losses at $4 billion and Andhra Pradesh at over $2 billion. Both the death toll and the number of people rendered homeless are steadily increasing.

United Ways in India are addressing immediate needs of the flood victims, like housing, transportation and health care. United Ways have started assessing the significant long-term recovery and reconstruction needs of the communities in the flood-affected areas in partnership with local governments, service providers and other community organizations.

]]> Disaster Recovery, International 2009-11-24T19:45:37+00:00 Dolly Parton Teams up with United Way to increase Childhood Literacy http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/dolly-parton-teams-up-with-united-way-to-increase-childhood-literacy/ http://liveunited.org/blog/entry/dolly-parton-teams-up-with-united-way-to-increase-childhood-literacy/ In an effort to increase childhood literacy, United Way has partnered with country superstar Dolly Parton and her Imagination Library (DPIL). DPIL provides a new, age-appropriate book every month for the first five years of life for free to children in need.

For United Way, the partnership is a critical strategy to support children and families. Language and pre-literacy skills is a cornerstone for what children need to succeed in school, work and life. And it’s part of United Way’s long-term strategy to cut the nation’s high school dropout rate by 50%. Research shows that disadvantaged children come to school years behind their peers in pre-literacy skills, and rarely catch up. The same children struggling to read in 3rd grade are getting suspended in middle school – and are dropping out a few years later. As part of United Way’s Born Learning early learning public engagement campaign, four of the books provided by Imagination Library include Born Learning reading extenders. These help parents understand how to go beyond the book to reinforce pre-reading skills.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library currently partners with 140 local United Ways, but now United Way and Dolly Parton have set an ambitious goal to serve one million more children across America within the next five years.

Links:
Dolly Parton Imagination Library

 

 

]]> Education 2009-05-20T17:44:37+00:00