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Hurricane relief fund requests help
Article published on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/102705_fpg-02-a.jpg) |
| Photo courtesy of The Florida Hurricane Relief Fund |
| Volunteers put a roof on the home of Fern Dumas and her husband's after Hurricane Ivan damaged it in 2004. |
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TALLAHASSEE - Florida was severely hit by Hurricane Wilma, which tore across the southern part of the state as a Category 3 hurricane, destroying much in its path.
"Wilma has cut a wide swath that will impact many Florida communities - from the coastal cities reliant on tourism to the farmers who live in the central part of the state," according to letter requesting help from Liza McFadden, president of the Volunteer Florida Foundation.
Insurance, federal and state agencies and other relief organizations are not equipped to cover all of the needs of Floridians impacted by these storms, the letter said. In response, Gov. Jeb Bush established The Florida Hurricane Relief Fund in 2004 for unmet needs and designated the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation to manage it.
People who would like to make a difference for Floridians whose lives, homes and communities have been impacted by these storms are asked to visit www.FLAHurricaneFund.org, or call (800) 825-3786. Donations are tax-deductible.
By contributing to the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, people can help put Floridians lives on the road to recovery.
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![[Image]](/content_images/102705_fpg-02-b.jpg) |
| Photo courtesy of The Florida Hurricane Relief Fund |
| This daycare center in Punta Gorda damaged by Hurricane Charley is open again thanks to a grant from The Hurricane Relief Fund. |
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Sheryl Jones, of Punta Gorda, directs a daycare center that was severely damaged by Hurricane Charley in 2004. Her insurance did not cover the extensive damage to the building and she was not eligible for FEMA funds. Jones received a grant from The Hurricane Relief Fund and was able to reopen and help parents get back to work and get lives back on track.
"When you are struggling to recover, knowing your children are secure so you can get back to business means everything," Jones said.
Fern Dumas, who lives with her handicapped husband in Florida's Panhandle, has dealt with the aftermath of two storms in one year - Ivan and Dennis.
Ivan tore large gaps in her roof in 2004. With labor and materials in short supply, blue tarp covered those holes until Ivan came along this past summer to shred it. A grant from the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund to the Christian Contractors Association helped the volunteer crew get to Dumas's house and finally repair the damage.
Recovery is a long process. A report this past summer from the University of Florida stated that an estimated 1.3 million Floridians have completed repairs from the 2004 hurricane damage, but repairs were still under way for 696,000 residents and had not yet begun for another 348,000.
The situation has been adversely impacted by damage during the 2005 season. The Fund's efforts matter now more than ever and depend on the contributions of businesses and citizens.
To date, the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund has funded 270 organizations to provide long-term recovery assistance for the thousands of families whose needs were not adequately covered by government and insurance funds.
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Article published on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005
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