Message from United Way Worldwide CEO, Brian Gallagher:

As you know, on the evening of January 12, 2010, a major earthquake, 7.0 magnitude, hit Haiti. The loss is astounding and even hits home. I'm sad to tell you that our new executive director at United Way Brasil, Rogerio Arns, lost his mother in the earthquake. She was a pediatrician who was part of a humanitarian effort in Haiti. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Rogerio and his family. We've also heard that United Way staff in the United States have lost family members in this earthquake as well. For those we know of and those we don't, I share the system's deepest condolences.

United Way Worldwide's Core Crisis Team has been mobilized and is in contact with our Caribbean Regional Team to gather more information about the needs on the ground. While we don't have a local United Way in Haiti, if you receive questions from members of your community who want to donate money to help people affected by the earthquake, you can direct them to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund: https://volunteer.united-e-way.org/uwwwdisaster/donate/.

Checks can also be sent to the following with the Fund reference in either memo line or enclosed correspondence:

United Way Worldwide
P.O. Box 630568
Baltimore, MD 21263-0568

As we continue to evaluate the situation in Haiti, United Way Worldwide will look toward the existing United Way Caribbean Regional Council and members for insight on how to most effectively assist in long-term recovery efforts. We have spoken with Samuel Gonzales, CEO of United Way Puerto Rico, and his team is able to handle corporate in-kind donations. United Way Worldwide will coordinate with him and our other United Way organizations in the region. At this time, we are aware that United Way of Miami is collecting funds and much-needed relief items in partnership with El Nuevo Herald. We continue to learn about other relief efforts by local United Ways and will provide an update later this week. In-kind donations from the general public are referred to Aidmatrix. Donations from Global Corporate Leadership companies, however, are given special consideration and will be personally reviewed by United Way Worldwide's Interim Crisis Director, Linda Daily.

We've communicated our support efforts on our external websites—www.liveunited.org and www.unitedway.org/worldwide.

We'll continue to keep you updated as we learn more about needs on the ground and ways we can respond both as a system and as caring human beings.

Thanks,
Brian