United Way Helps a Mom Recover from Job Loss

You only need to meet Eileen Rodriguez once to see how much she appreciates the blessings in her life. Eileen loves her job and she enjoys living in a comfortable home with her young daughter, Leslie. However, things weren’t always so perfect for the Tupperware Brands employee who served as an inspirational speaker at the Sixth Annual United Way Women’s Leadership Luncheon.

Two years ago, Eileen was jobless and she and her daughter were facing eviction from their home. Eileen’s previous employer had filed for bankruptcy and laid her off so she was left with no income or job benefits.

Every morning she would wake up with hopes that today would be the day someone would call her for an interview. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months but no calls came.

“Worry started to set in as I not only had to feed myself, but I also had to find a way to feed my daughter,” she said. “It was because of her that I knew I had to find something, someone, or someplace that I could turn to for help.”

Eileen had been denied public assistance, spent her savings, and her friends and family were unable to help. With her resources depleted, she called United Way 2-1-1 and was placed in touch with a partner agency to schedule a qualification interview.

The agency paid Eileen’s rent and electric bill, and allowed her to take food from their food pantry. Even more importantly, they counseled her on how to create a balanced budget so she could get back on her feet again. Thanks to United Way, Eileen was able to survive the crisis until she could find a new job.

“I am living proof that United Way is carrying out its mission to create opportunities for a better life for all,” she said.

When you support United Way, you support our work to help thousands of people like Eileen and her family who are struggling in these difficult times to pay for housing, utilities, food and other basic needs.

Don’t Miss Women’s Luncheon, Feb. 27, Featuring Emmy Award Winning Journalist Deborah Norville!

Tickets and corporate tables are now on sale for the 6^th Annual United Way Women’s Leadership Luncheon, featuring Deborah Norville, Emmy Award winning journalist and anchor of the top-rated newsmagazine Inside Edition.

An sought-after lecturer, author and health advocate, Norville will speak with candor and humor about handling life’s curves, juggling career and motherhood, and the rough road to achieving your dreams.

With another sell-out audience expected, now’s a great time to reserve your corporate table or purchase tickets for this inspirational event, which is annually attended by more than 800 of Central Florida’s most influential women.

The United Way Women’s Leadership Council, co-chaired by Helen Donegan, Vice President of Community Relations for UCF; and Karen Dee, President, Florida and Mid-South Regions, Fifth Third Bank; combines the power of philanthropy, volunteerism and awareness to support local women and children in need.

So don’t delay! Click here to purchase tickets and learn more.

Students from Orlando Science Schools Donate Generously to Help Victims of Hurricane Sandy

Heart of Florida United Way was recently honored and humbled to receive a $1,580 donation from the Orlando Science Schools on behalf of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts

Visiting United Way to present the check were students and staff from the public charter school, which emphasizes math and science education for middle- and high-school students.

As one of United Way’s closest neighbors, the school which is located on Lynx Drive, has also become one of our favorite and most inspirational partners.  In addition to its strong academic focus, the school also encourages students to become responsible citizens, according to its executive director, Yalcin Akin, Ph.D.

In fact this is the second time the school has stepped forward to help others through United Way. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, students collected 750 pounds of food and more than $700 in donations to help victims of that disaster.  

This is truly one incredible group of students and teachers! Thank you so much for your example, generosity and support!

Save the Date! 21st Annual Chef’s Gala Benefitting United Way on May 4

Be sure to mark your calendars for the 21st Annual Chef’s Gala, benefiting Heart of Florida United Way

Saturday, May 4

6:45 – 10 p.m.

at Epcot World Showplace

WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort

Recognized as the region’s premier food and wine paring event, Chef’s Gala features mouth-watering creations from more than 20 of Central Florida’s top chefs and establishments, along with thoughtfully paired fine wines, live music and an elegant silent auction.

Last year’s event, co-chaired by Shawn Bartelt, Vice President & General Manager of WFTV-Channel 9 and WRDQ Central Florida’s TV 27; and Simon Hemus, President & COO of Tupperware Brands; raised a record setting $219,175 to help people in need.

Hosted and sponsored by

Tickets and corporate packages will go on sale soon.

Reach a sophisticated and affluent audience. For sponsorship information, call (407) 835-0923 or e-mail chefsgala@hfuw.org.

Click here to learn about last year’s event.

Click here to view event photos.

This Holiday Season, Let’s Combine Good Cheer with Good Will to Help Neighbors in Need

Bright lights, warm memories, beautifully wrapped gifts and special time spent with family.

For most of us, this truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Unfortunately, it’s also a season of stark contrast for thousands of local families who can no longer afford a simple meal, let alone gifts under the tree.

Please Be Generous
That’s why Heart of Florida United Way is asking you to consider making a generous year-end, tax-deductible gift to help neighbors in need. With our 2012-2013 campaign at the midpoint, we’re nearly three-quarters of the way to reaching our $18 million goal, but need is great and there’s still a long way to go. 

Your donation, combined with so many others, will help United Way and our partners to continue providing help and hope to nearly 1-in-5 Central Floridians in need. People such as:

• Jose and Evelyn, loving parents from St. Cloud who found themselves homeless, along with their two children, during the holiday season last year.  Due to prolonged unemployment, the family had lost their home and was living in their van until United Way helped them move into a motel, rent a house and rebuild their lives.
• Gary, a single dad from Oveido, whose electricity was about to be shut off after his work hours and wages were cut. Thanks to help from United Way 2-1-1, Gary was able to keep the power on. And through a referral to Catholic Charities of Central Florida, a United Way partner agency, he also received food pantry assistance and help in finding a better paying job.
• Martin and Christine, a young couple from Orlando who were facing eviction after Martin was laid off and Christine lost her job due to medical problems. Together, with their two toddlers and newborn, the couple was able to remain in their home, stay safe and stabilize their crisis.

With so many other neighbors needing our help, please don’t let this season of joy pass without helping those who are hurting. By combining good cheer and good will, we can begin a new holiday tradition – one of charitable compassion ‒ that lifts us all and makes us stronger.

To make an immediate tax-deductible donation, click here. To run a United Way workplace campaign, please contact Robert Haight, United Way Senior Vice President of Resource Development, at (407) 835-0918 or e-mail Robert.Haight@hfuw.org.

United Way and SeaWorld Orlando Team Up to Thank Leadership Investors

On Saturday, Dec. 1 United Way partnered with SeaWorld Orlando to thank and recognize more than 2,300 Leadership Investors who have given generously to help local people in need.

The United Way Leadership Appreciation event, now in its 16th year, honors those donating $1,000 or more per year to support our community through United Way. For many local families, the event has become an annual holiday tradition, which includes an appreciation breakfast, fun activities and a complimentary day of fun in the park.

During the breakfast program, United Way President/CEO Robert H. (Bob) Brown offered his heartfelt thanks to the group.

“Last year, nearly 2,600 Leadership Investors contributed an astounding $4.5 million, making them a major force in United Way’s record-setting $19.36 million campaign. Thanks to you, more than 347,500 residents received the critical care and hope they needed to survive. Your generosity is humbling and truly sets the standard for others to follow.”

Also addressing the group was Jose Velazquez, a St. Cloud father and husband, who lost his job and home last year, but found emergency help through United Way’s Veterans Assistance Program. “This time last year, my family and I were homelessness,” he said. “Thanks to United Way, our lives have come full circle. I am living proof that your support truly does make a difference.”

United Way also wishes to thank SeaWorld Orlando for their outstanding support. In addition to hosting the Leadership Appreciation event for the past 16 years, the company and its employees also give generously to United Way’s campaign, raising more than $200,000 last year alone.

To learn more about the benefits of becoming a Leadership Investor, click here.

With Tax Season Just Ahead, FREE, Expert Help Is Available in Claiming EITC Credits of Up to $5,800

By visiting one of 30-plus local VITA sites, eligible EITC recipients can receive 100% of their refund for FREE, usually in 10 days or less.

Each year, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps thousands of low- to moderate-income families claim more of the dollars they’ve worked hard to earn.

By offering tax credits of up to $5,800, EITC helps families pay down debt, build savings, pay for childcare, improve job skills or cover any expense they see fit.

1-in-4 Don’t Claim EITC
Yet despite its many benefits, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates that one-in-four eligible recipients don’t claim EITC, mainly due to lack of awareness.

For these reasons and more, Heart of Florida United Way is again reaching out to the local business and nonprofit community to help promote ETIC, as well as more than 30 FREE VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites, staffed by IRS certified volunteers.

EITC Helps Mom Purchase Home
It was through VITA services that Orlando resident Teresa Martin* received the FREE, expert help she needed to claim EITC and other credits, which resulted in a sizable refund.

“Dealing with taxes can be stressful for anyone,” Martin said. “In my case, it was even more so since I had adopted my son and had to submit a lot of complicated forms. With the help of a VITA volunteer, I was able to do this and also claim EITC. Thanks to larger refunds, I was able to build savings and eventually purchase a home.”

As part of United Way’s focus on helping families improve their financial stability, our organization has been promoting EITC since 2007. Last year alone, more than 215,745 claims were filed, resulting in more than half a billion dollars being pumped back into the Central Florida economy.

To learn more about EITC, including income guidelines and the location of FREE tax preparation sites, click here or simply dial 2-1-1.

VITA Volunteers Needed
With demand for EITC tax help on the rise, volunteers are needed to help staff local VITA sites from January through mid-April, 2013. IRS certified training will be provided.  To learn more about volunteering, click here.

* Name changed to protect  privacy.