On early Sunday morning, our state of Florida and the world at-large witnessed a heinous act of violence that left 49 young people dead and more than 50 injured at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, making it the worst mass shooting in our nation's history.

We here at United Way of North Central Florida are incredibly saddened by this tragedy and are holding the victims and their loved ones in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

Heart of Florida United Way has created a Community Information page for our friends in Orlando.

If you would like to help locally, you can make an appointment to donate blood with LifeSouth by calling 1-888-795-2707. Of course, your donation to LifeSouth is always needed here at home. Financial donations to the families of the Pulse Shooting victims can be made on the official donation page here.

But we are also here to help you. We know this may be a particularly disheartening and trying time for some and your United Way can help. If you are in need of any emotional support right now, please don't hesitate to dial 2-1-1, text your zip code to 898211, or chat by clicking here. Our trained 24 hour staff can find you the help you need.

This is a time for us all to pull together, eliminate hate and #LiveUnited.