Uplifting Humanity

Hurricane Katrina will be remembered as one of the most devastating natural disasters in the history of the United States.

Its aftermath has altered our nation forever.

At no time since the Great Depression have so many American citizens been displaced. The economic and social cost is unfathomable—as estimates escalate to over 150 billion dollars, citizen unrest rises as citizens have lost confidence in their government’s ability to react in a time of crisis.

The solutions to our nation’s problems are found within the American people.

The 2 Life 18 Help and Rescue Initiative has been formed to coordinate with faith-based groups and the private sector to aid in rebuilding the disaster area as well as rebuilding lives in the wake of the Katrina disaster.

Our purpose is also to follow in the tradition of David & Orly Perez response to Katrina’s disaster and react quickly as a “first response” in times of tragedy to save lives and offer aid.

"By contributing to 2 Life 18 Foundation, Inc., you help continue
the work that we all began together following the catastrophe of Katrina –
of saving lives and uplifting humanity…."
- David Perez

Message from Founders David & Orly Perez:

We have a moral imperative to be prepared to respond immediately to the needs of citizens in need - particularly if our government is ever caught off guard again. My wife, Orly, and I have formed a public charity for the common purpose of responding to people in times of disaster. Donations to 2 Life 18 Foundation, Inc. will go directly to the Katrina Relief Effort. When our work with the Katrina Relief Effort is completed, any unused funds will be utilized to respond quickly in times of a national emergency. Our goal is to continue in the tradition of the Katrina Relief Effort and provide a coordinated private-sector based "first response" effort in times of national emergencies.

Our goal is to partner with existing governmental and relief agencies in order to provide urgently needed evacuation, food, counseling, housing, financial aid, and medicine to victims of Katrina's wrath. In the aftermath of Katrina, 2 Life 18 Foundation, Inc. has been:

providing ongoing support to displaced families
purchasing homes and paying for rent
coordinating food and medical care and transportation to and from the Gulf Coast areas for families wanting to go back to rebuild their homes and lives
providing direct assistance to multiple grassroots organizations that are providing the much-needed work in the rebuilding process of the Gulf Coast communities
delivering emergency response vans and water purifiers to the Gulf Coast Area
We are also actively involved in:
reuniting families
providing cross-country transportation and financial aid

Our long-term goal is to build on the effective mobilization that we spearheaded and implemented as a private-sector based "first response" team immediately in the aftermath of Katrina and to continue to extend dignity and help to victims as they rebuild their lives following catastrophic disasters. The clear consensus is that we must build upon the foundation that we began together. By contributing to 2 Life 18 Foundation, Inc., we all continue the work we've begun together -- of saving lives together and uplifting humanity.

About David and Orly Perez:
David Perez is the Recipient of the Channel 10 News (ABC) 2005 Leader of the Year Award and the Recipient of the 2005 NAACP President's Award, a top honor for the North San Diego County branch of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People. David Perez was honored by A&E Network as one of the top 10 people in the world in 2005 who had the greatest impact on the lives of people in 2005 (honorees include Oprah, U2’s Bono, Angelina Jolie, Presidents Clinton and Bush). His efforts and tremendous accomplishments during the Katrina disaster not only helped thousands of people, but gave inspiration to many more. He and his wife Orly are the co-founders of 2 Life 18 Foundation Inc. A longer biography appears on the "Board of Directors" page on this website.