March 22, 2022
United Way requesting donations to support Tornado relief, recovery
NEW ORLEANS – United Way of Southeast Louisiana – in partnership with WWL-TV Channel 4 – is encouraging public donations to its Tornado Relief Fund. All proceeds will support immediate relief efforts and long-term rebuilding for affected communities.
“Nearly two thirds of households in the affected areas of St. Bernard and Orleans parishes don’t earn enough to save for disasters and many are still recovering from Hurricane Ida’s impacts,” said Michael Williamson, UWSELA President and CEO. “But no matter the disaster, United Way and our generous supporters are always here before, during, and after the storm.”
Visit UnitedWaySELA.org/TornadoRelief to contribute.
UWSELA is also encouraging residents to dial 211 to access up-to-date information and available recovery services from local partners and government agencies in their respective parishes. A toll-free call to 211 will connect residents to a community resources specialist who will help pinpoint critical aid available locally.
In the wake of Hurricane Ida, UWSELA team members were on the ground within a week coordinating with local officials to identify and respond to needs throughout the region. UWSELA raised over $3.5 million to support immediate needs and helped deliver $2 million in supply donation and mitigation materials.
Staff and volunteers hosted 21 regional pop-up relief events – which provided food, supplies, and financial and legal assistance to impacted families – served 12,400 meals from local restaurants to support storm-related lost revenue, distributed $300,000 in gift cards to affected households, and invested $1 million in long-term recovery groups designed to fill unmet needs and foster equitable recovery for all.
Learn more about UWSELA’s disaster response work at UnitedWaySELA.org/Disaster.
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About United Way of Southeast Louisiana
For nearly 100 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. We fight to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes, and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and financially stable – and we have a plan. United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Blueprint for Prosperity guides all strategic investments in programs, initiatives, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy aimed at tackling poverty.