| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/15/2010 |
Contact: Mary Godleski 609-404-4483 mgodleski@unitedwayac.org |
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‘HOW TO HELP’ VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI Safe, Effective Ways to Send Support to Haiti In the wake of the recent disaster that has occurred in Haiti, there has been an outpouring of support from our community. However, it is important to carefully select appropriate ways to lend support and there are effective means to do so. For those wanting to offer support to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, United Way of Atlantic County suggests one or both of the following options: Immediate First Response: International and national organizations are sending supplies and staff to Haiti to support relief efforts there after the earthquake on January 12th, which caused catastrophic damage and loss of life. Funds are needed to support immediate relief efforts. Consider a financial gift to agencies that are helping with the first response, including: American Red Cross: www.redcross.org The Salvation Army World Service Office: www.salvationarmy.org Catholic Relief Services: http://crs.org/ Long Term Recovery and Community Building: Long after the initial responders go home, gifts to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund will support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and infrastructure devastated by disaster and to address educational, financial and health-related challenges. Meeting critical basic needs for shelter, food and clothing, rebuilding schools and housing and providing access to health care are all part of the long-term recovery needs in Haiti. United Way Worldwide members in the Caribbean region have already mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders and resources in response. To make a financial donation to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund: • click: www.liveunited.org • call 1-866-404-5826. • Send a check to United Way Worldwide, PO Box 630568, Baltimore, MD 21263-0568. Checks can be made out to United Way and include “Haiti Disaster Recovery Fund” on the memo line. • Text HAITI to 864833 (UNITED) to make a $5.00 donation. Standard text messaging rates apply. 95% of your donation will go directly to United Way Worldwide’s long-term recovery efforts in Haiti. 5% covers transactions costs of contribution processor. However you choose to help the communities devastated by this disaster, you can add that to the list of ways that you LIVE UNITED. We're all in this together, and when you reach out a hand to one, you influence the condition of all... that's what it means to LIVE UNITED! Product Donations: United Way is unable to accept donations of goods and services from individuals and community groups at this time. We will provide updates to this information as the need for product donations develops. Volunteering: Please know that there are no calls for volunteers at this point. We suggest you check www.211.org periodically to see new listings of volunteer requests for Haiti. It is very important that no one self-deploy to Haiti as all efforts are being made to assess the situation and provide an appropriate response. Help Locating Loved Ones: People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact : U.S. Dept. of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225. OR International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): www.FamilyLinks.icrc.org ### United Way of Atlantic County is a local, volunteer-driven, charitable organization mobilizing people and resources to meet our community’s most pressing health and human services needs. United Way is dedicated to making a positive impact on the quality of life for Atlantic County residents by supporting dozens of programs that reduce substance abuse and promote mental wellness, provide basic needs and increase self-sufficiency, support community health issues and foster safer homes and neighborhoods. Volunteers closely monitor these programs to ensure effective and efficient use of donor dollars. For more information on United Way of Atlantic County call 609-404-4483 or visit www.unitedwayac.org. If you or someone you know are in need of services dial 211. |