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FAMILIES YOU'VE HELPED: Meet some of the families assisted by your donations.

DONOR TOTALS

Current donations: $251,647
Last year: $235,320

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Ledger and United Way pay all administrative costs. Gifts are tax deductible.

Donate online
or mail contributions to:
Newspaper With a Heart
P.O. Box 408
Lakeland FL 33802
(Make checks payable to "Newspaper With a Heart")

HOW IT WORKS

Newspaper with a Heart gives direct assistance to roughly 150 individuals and families in need.

No money goes directly to the people helped, but rather to landlords, mortgage holders, utilities and other creditors.

Besides cash, contributions often include gifts such as cars, equipment for the handicapped and other items. Many recipients have nowhere else to turn in a county where the social service network is often overwhelmed by need.

All decisions for assistance are made by the Newspaper with a Heart committee.
The committee includes representatives of The Ledger, United Way, Catholic Charities, Florida Department of Children & Families, Hampton Disability Specialists, Lake Wales Care Center, Polk County Social Services and Salvation Army. Assistance with accounting services is provided by Chas P. Smith & Associates and SunTrust.

TO APPLY FOR HELP

All applications for Newspaper with a Heart are initially processed by United Way of Central Florida's Information and Referral service. Applicants need to have available such personal information as Social Security numbers, salary pay stubs and other documentation supporting needs.

To apply, call 863-648-1515 or 800-881-8929 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Newspaper with a Heart's registration number with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is CH12293.

CONTACT

For more information contact Ledger reporter Eric Pera at eric.pera@theledger.com or 863-802-7528.

BACKGROUND

Learn more about Newspaper With a Heart.