When you support Heart of Florida United Way, you support people right here in Central Florida – people like J.J. Johnson.

J.J. lived in an abandoned trailer in Osceola County for 43 years. No running water. No electricity. According to the government, he didn’t exist. He had no Social Security number, no birth certificate. He had made his way through life, working, without the things most people would consider necessities. Until one day, a Meals on Wheels volunteer from Osceola County Council on Aging, a Heart of Florida United Way member charity, was alerted by the police that someone might be living in this abandoned trailer. Meals on Wheels stopped by, met J.J. and asked if they could start delivering meals. J.J. agreed and thanked them for their kindness. Volunteers and staff started visiting J.J. every day, bringing him blankets and Pepsi – because that was his favorite. “They started coming around feelin’ sorry for me, and I know they were because I didn’t have anything,” says J.J. Then they wrote to the president, asking for help. Almost immediately, J.J. was assigned a Social Security number. He was able to get an ID card, and today J.J. has his own apartment with running water and electricity for the first time in his life. He has a support network of friends and is a regular down at the senior center.

Last year, thanks to the generosity of people just like you, Heart of Florida United Way and its family of charities helped more than 450,000 J.J. Johnsons right here in Central Florida. Heart of Florida United Way’s annual fundraising campaign continues through November 22. Get involved today! Call Heart of Florida United Way at (407) 835-0900 to schedule a workplace campaign or to contribute a personal gift. When you support Heart of Florida United Way, you support everyone living in our community.

For more information, please visit www.hfuw.org.