Heart of Florida United Way offers our deepest sympathies to the victims of the horrific June 12 shooting, their loved ones and the whole community. We have seen other cities cope with horrible tragedies, but this time, we did not need to see maps or city overviews to understand what happened. We’ve all driven by Pulse and know exactly where Orange Avenue is. This is our home.

We know that many people want to help or need more information. Organizations are currently working together to determine where volunteers are needed and how people can best support the needs of our community. As more information becomes available, we will update this page.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is United Way’s role? United Way is supporting the work of the City of Orlando’s Emergency Operations Center and other community organizations, who are leading immediate recovery efforts. We will disseminate information on our website, and on Facebook and Twitter, as it becomes available. Our 2-1-1 Information and Assistance Crisis Helpline is also available to offer emotional support to the community.
Where can I go for emotional support or other resources? The 2-1-1 Information and Assistance Crisis Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our trained specialists can offer crisis support and connect callers to community resources that are providing face to face services. You can access 2-1-1 by phone, text, chat or email. Simply dial 2-1-1, text your zip code to 898-211 or visit hfuw.org/get-help.
Where can I donate? The City of Orlando has launched the One Orlando Fund.
Where can I give blood? OneBlood is accepting blood donations, but they request you make an appointment. There will be a continued need for blood donations over the coming days.
Where can I find the list of victims? The City of Orlando has created a site to recognize the victims. All families have been contacted, so all 49 names are listed.
How else can I help? On June 21, Mayor Buddy Dyer announced that the road closures surrounding Pulse were being lifted. All of the businesses nearby had been closed during the investigation, so we urge residents to support these businesses as we all rebuild together. For more information, please see Mayor Dyer’s statement.
Is there a hotline available? The Helpline/Hotline is for family members of the victims ONLY. It can be reached by dialing 407-246-4357. If you do not have a direct connection to the shooting but still need grief counseling, emotional support or other resources, please contact 2-1-1.