CONNECTING COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT/Habitat for Humanity–Denver colorado

Last year we reported on the Foundation’s efforts to provide immediate disaster relief to survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Just days after the Hurricane all but demolished New Orleans, employees around the globe, which included First Data at the time, opened their hearts to raise over $1.5 million with the Foundation match. The Foundation was proud to contribute $500,000 to both the American Red Cross for shelter, water and other emergency aid, as well as America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s food bank, to help feed those evacuated in the wake of the disaster.

Beyond responding to the immediate crisis, the Foundation also made a long-term pledge to help families torn apart by Katrina rebuild their lives. The Foundation gift of $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity allowed eight families shattered by tragedy to build new roots.  In 2006, more than 240 locally-based employees worked with Habitat for Humanity in metro Denver to complete a house for Wanda Amar and her three children, Shacara (20), Cierra (19) and Vidal (11).  The family’s home in the 9th Ward was ruined beyond repair and after assessing the devastation, Wanda made the difficult decision to start anew in Denver.

The experience of working together with Wanda and her family to physically build a house from start to finish was a powerful one for Western Union employees.  “We literally helped give Wanda’s family the foundation to create a new life,” said Western Union employee Tiffany Wismer.  

Indeed, this story reflects Western Union’s rich history of bringing hope and opportunity to those most in need in local communities everywhere.   

Thankfully, Wanda’s transition to her new life in Denver has been a smooth one.  The family moved into their home in January 2007.  “My children and I feel truly hopeful about the future,” said Wanda.  She is now working at SkyWest, an airline catering company at Denver International Airport.