Humanity Makes a Difference in the Gulf
Apparel company partners with United Way to provide school supplies for kids

Humanity for All, a Los Angeles-based apparel company, has donated $10,000 to United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area to help provide vouchers for school uniforms so kids can go back to school prepared to succeed. Children and families are being greatly impacted by the Gulf Oil Spill, and out-of-work parents may not be able to afford school uniforms. The vouchers were equally distributed to children and families in Grand Isle and Jean Lafitte Parishes.

“When I launched the Humanity apparel line, I wanted my fashion to stand for something,” said Helena Cho, CEO of Humanity. “By partnering with United Way, an organization whose mission I respect and can relate to, I have achieved that goal.”

On Thursday, August 4, Helena Cho, Gary Ostroske, President and CEO of United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area (UWGNOA) and Michael Williamson, COO of UWGNOA, presented a check to Jefferson Parish Councilman John Young and several Jefferson Parish educators: Charlie Mae Bordelon, Principal of Leo Kerner Elementary School, Wanda Blair, Assistant Principal of Leo Kerner Elementary, and Richard Augustin, Principal of Grand Isle High School. They discussed the needs within their communities, and how grateful they are that Humanity and United Way are making sure kids have all they need to start school.

“I understand that the oil spill is getting cleaned up, but the emotional end of this is still ahead of us,” said Bordelon. “This donation today is going to help relieve some of the financial burden of these people but it will also reassure them that we haven’t been forgotten.”

United Way worked with Catholic Charities to identify how the vouchers were distributed in Jean Lafitte and Grand Isle Parishes.

In addition, Humanity has developed a special line of United Way inspired products that will benefit the families affected by the Gulf Oil Spill, and 50% of proceeds from these retail items will go to the United Ways of the Gulf Coast. The shirts are available at 450 Buckle stores and 50 Apricot Lane stores across the nation.

Visit www.unitedwaygulfcoast.org/humanity/index.html  to learn more about United Way’s partnership with Humanity.

Photo caption:
 (From L to R): Grand Isle High School students; Richard Augustin; Barbara Turner Windhorst; Councilman John Young; Michael Williamson; Helena Cho; Charlie Mae Bordelon; Gary Ostroske; Wanda Blair; student. (Photo credit: Keith Adams)