We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, wherever and however you celebrated. This month’s tip is a message of gratitude for the many volunteers and donors that help our nonprofit make a BIG, positive impact on people’s lives and financial health all across the nation. When we say “policyholders”, we’re talking about PEOPLE (who have paid for insurance protection).
After the tragic wildfire that devastated Maui last summer, our staff, volunteers and donors moved quickly to bring UP’s unique services and comfort to the impacted communities. Offers of help and donations came in from across the country and we were able to send teams of previous disaster survivor volunteers to the beloved island of Maui. Our hearts were warmed by how many people from recent Colorado wildfires, (most of whom have not yet moved back into their own homes), reached out to support our Roadmap to Recovery program in Lahaina.
“United Policyholders helped us navigate our lives after the Marshall Fire. We are still rebuilding. This donation is small in comparison to what we have received from your organization but it is what I am able to do at this time. Thank you from my whole heart.” – Carol B., – Marshall (CO) Wildfire Survivor
Special thanks our Team UP professional volunteers who help review and update our print and online consumer tips and disaster recovery help libraries to keep them accurate all across the United States. Our Hawaii-based volunteers sent us samples of local insurance policies and connected local and state officials, non-profits and community leaders in the impacted communities to UP staff, volunteers and resources.
Our previous disaster survivors volunteers provided 51 consecutive days of service on Maui in the weeks and months after the disaster. That’s 660 volunteer hours offering empathy and first steps guidance at Disaster Recovery Centers, and public meetings and events.
- With your support we can keep doing what we do best;
- Call on insurers to extend all available benefits to disaster victims quickly and fully and with as little bureaucracy as possible.
- Offer impacted households easy-to-follow guidance and the straight scoop on recovering from a disaster.
- Continue hosting our series of Roadmap to Recovery educational webinars and Q and A’s. Survivor to Survivor forums.
- Continue making every donated dollar go a long way by leveraging the generous support we get from our survivor and professional volunteers who help staff our pro bono insurance legal and personal financial help clinics and answer the consumer questions that come in to our online Ask an Expert forum.
Anyone who has experience with a total loss knows 3.5 months after a disaster is only the beginning.
Your support for our Roadmap to Recovery program will help us continue this good work in the New Year and ensure we can continue serving impacted households as long as we’re needed.
MAHALO! (THANK YOU)
This blog was featured as the November 2023 Tip of the Month