Community Impact United Way is in the business of community impact - improving lives by mobilizing communities to create sustained changes in community conditions.  Whether it is to improve childcare, tackle the school dropout rate, reduce the number of teenage pregnancies, strengthen families, or provide living assistance to our elderly, United Way brings the community together to identify and address the critical issues here in Southwest Georgia.  Many of us have decided to focus on "what matters" in our lives.  Family, friends, faith and love of country and community have become the highest priorities for the vast majority of us.  United Way of Southwest Georgia supports programs that touch virtually everyone in our community, making it a better place to live, work and raise our families.  United Way assures that these programs have a measurable impact on the social problems facing Southwest Georgians. We are committed to helping mobilize our community to focus on the bottom line results, the lives we change, and the community in which we shape.  The four focus areas that currently comprise the Community Impact Agenda are:  Preparing Children and Youth to Succeed Meeting Basic Needs Empowering Individuals & Families Toward Self-sufficiency Promoting Health, Safety & Wellness   United Way 2-1-1 Need Help! Call 2-1-1 or 1-888-6126 (for Cordele area dial 877-584-6700) 2-1-1 offers access to the following types of services: Basic Human Needs Resources Employment Supports Physical and Mental Health Resources Support for Children, Youth and Families Support for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities Volunteer Opportunities and Donations Every hour of every day, someone in the Southwest Georgia needs essential services-from finding substance abuse assistance to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent. Faced with a dramatic increase in the number of agencies and help lines, people often don't know where to turn. In many cases, people end up going without these necessary and readily available services because they don't know where to start. United Way 2-1-1 provides callers with information about human services for every-day and once-in-a- lifetime needs serving: Baker, Crisp, Colquitt, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Lee, Mitchell, Randolph, Terrell, Wilcox and Worth counties. Disaster Response & Preparedness Disasters can happen at any time. They can be natural (like tornadoes or hurricanes) or can be human-made (like chemical or biological attacks). Taking precautions and planning can help better prepare you and your family in case a disaster strikes. And you'll be able to cope during the emergency until help arrives. Preparing Your Family Take photos or a video of your property and belongings.  Store in a water-proof / fire-proof container. These can later be used for insurance purposes. Post emergency phone numbers next to all telephones. Know what disasters are most likely to happen in your community and how to prepare for each one. Know what form the warning will take (radio, TV, siren, etc.). Discuss this with your family. Plan how your family will stay in contact in case you get separated. Pick a meeting place in case your home can't be reached. Arrange an out-of-state friend or family member to act as your telephone contact, in case local phone links are disrupted. Know how to disconnect / switch off all utilities. Install smoke detectors and inspect / test them regularly. Take a first aid course. Make plans for anyone in your family with special needs: an infant, senior or person with disabilities. Make plans for your pets. Keep a full tank of gas—especially in cold weather. Prepare a disaster supplies kit and keep it up-to-date by changing batteries regularly and rotating food and water supplies. Impending Disaster Steps Be prepared to evacuate immediately after the order is issued.  With a tornado, you only have a matter of seconds.  You should not return to the area until the announcement is given that it is safe to do so. If safe to do so, secure outdoor furniture and other items that could be lifted by wind. Depending on the type of disaster, board all windows and reinforce doors. When evacuating your home, turn off gas and electricity. If you leave your pets, leave plenty of food and water.  Arrange your heavy furniture to give them a safe place to hide if the roof or other structure collapses. If you remain in your home, sterilize bathtub with bleach, rinse thoroughly and fill with water. Ongoing Preparedness Measures Maintain your home in good repair. Remove dead branches from trees and keep shrubs trimmed. Keep material on hand for boarding windows and reinforcing doors. Save plastic milk jugs.  Clean them and store at least three per family member. Keep your car in reliable working condition.  DO NOT store cans of gas in your home or car. Review your insurance coverage and check to make sure you're covered for wind, flood, water and other disaster-related hazards. Take photos of your property and belongings. Make sure all family members have current immunizations.  Also, keep your pets up-to-date on shots.   Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Recommended items for disaster kits for your car and/or home include: Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries Candle in a metal can Canned food including soup/broth, canned fruit and non-electric can opener Cards, games and puzzles Extra blankets Extra newspapers for insulation First aid kit and essential medications Jumper cables Matches Nuts and high energy snacks Plastic bags for sanitation Several bottles of water (in your home, stock at least 1 gallon per person per day to last 3 days) Small sack of sand (or kitty litter) for traction Small shovel, pocket knife, and other small tools, such as pliers, wrench and screwdriver Warm clothing for everyone in the household including boots, mittens/gloves and hats Know Weather Terms Watch: Storm is possible in your area. Storm warning: Storm is headed your way. Blizzard warning: Strong winds, blinding snow and dangerous wind chills are headed your way.  Seek shelter immediately.   Get Your Car Ready Change to winter grade oil (10w/30). Keep gas tank at least half full. Make sure heater and defroster work. Stock your car with: Disaster supplies kit (see below for recommended items) First aid kit in each car Red flag or other brightly colored cloth (to tie to antenna if you get stuck in a blizzard) Windshield scraper and small broom for snow/ice removal Get Your Home Ready Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside. Clean and check furnace. Clean chimney and keep an ample supply of wood. Know how to operate portable heaters and keep at least 3' from curtains, furniture and other flammable items. Learn how to turn off your gas, water and electric. Stock up on melting salt and/or sand. Assemble a disaster supplies kit. During a Storm Stay inside and stay warm. Dress warmly in loose-fitting layers. Eat and drink regularly; avoid caffeine and alcohol. If you must travel, take public transportation.  About 70 percent of deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.  If public transportation isn't an option, keep your cell phone charged and with you and let someone know your intended route and approximate arrival time. If you get stuck in your car: Do not leave vehicle. Crack passenger window for ventilation. Tie a brightly colored cloth to your antenna. Run engine and heater (with overhead light on) 10 minutes once an hour; keep exhaust pipe free of blockage. While sitting, keep arms and legs moving. Maintain hydration but don't eat snow—it will lower your body temperature. If you have nothing to drink, melt snow before consuming. After a Storm Check on neighbors, friends and relatives who may need help. Be careful of snow-covered and icy sidewalks or streets. Take it easy shoveling—stretch before and after.   Contact: (229) 883 6700 x24 disaster@unitedwayswga.org