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Throughout the last 85 years, Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) has consistently demonstrated our commitment to assisting those in need during times of disaster, including during hurricanes seasons.
This year, NOAA has predicted an above-normal Atlantic Hurricane season, and HFUW is working to ensure we are prepared to respond to our community’s needs.
In 2017, the aftermath of Hurricane Maria changed millions of lives. Homes were destroyed, lives lost, and families displaced. But in Central Florida, our community rose to the challenge.
As thousands of evacuees arrived seeking shelter and a new beginning, our community united. We assisted in opening and staffing the Welcome Center at the Orlando International Airport, where members of the HFUW team were there to greet and assist over 34,000 evacuees who fled Puerto Rico in search of assistance. And, when the Welcome Center closed in 2018, we launched the Hurricane Maria Housing Assistance Program, helping 80 working families find permanent housing.
We partnered with Ikea to provide gift cards to evacuees. Families were able to select home essentials of their choice like beds, mattresses, couches, and kitchenware — the essentials they needed to create a home again.
In 2022, Central Florida was impacted by Hurricane Ian, a storm that caused devastating flooding and contributed to approximately $113 billion in damages, making it among the costliest hurricanes in Florida’s history. To support our community, we partnered with WESH 2 News for a “Day of Giving” telethon and raised more than $1.4 million, which was used to support individuals and families impacted in Central Florida.
Many of the families who received support through these efforts generally work paycheck to paycheck and are unable to have savings or emergency funds set aside for unexpected expenses such as those brought on by these natural disasters.
As our community prepares for this current hurricane season, we are so thankful for your unwavering support. Because of donations made by people like you, we stand ready to help our neighbors impacted by hurricanes to recover and rebuild.
What You Can Do
Donate to Heart of Florida United Way, so we can continue to be a resource to our neighbors in their time of need.
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