Helping Islanders Recover from Hurricane Milton

At the Greater Pine Island Alliance, we’ve been busy assessing damage in the community since the day after Hurricane Milton passed. Some folks hit in Helene got hit again, while others were spared. And while we’re thankful that we didn’t bear the brunt of the storm, there are still many of our friends and neighbors who are rebuilding and repairing as we speak.

So far, we’ve received 101 new requests for help with everything from mucking and gutting to demolition, debris cleanup and even relocating belongings to a dry place following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. And more are coming in. We are working our way through requests for help, pairing volunteers with residents in need and we’ve distributed 150 muck-and-gut buckets. We’re also still working on 81 active rebuilds from Hurricane Ian.

• If you need help with recovery, please click here to fill out our form. You can also stop by our offices, 10484 Stringfellow Road, Suite 2, St. James City, FL 33956, or call us at 239.558.4901 to register for help.
• The United Way has provided us with recovery buckets. Please stop by our offices to pick one up. We also dropped some off at the comfort stations in Matlacha Park.
• I’d also like to give a shout out to Big Mama Radio, which delivered a truckload of ice after Milton that we distributed around the Island.

GPIA volunteers have already donated more than 850 hours to help the community. And we’re hoping that if you weren’t impacted by Helene or Milton, or that your property repairs are under control, that you will also consider helping out. Here’s a rundown of our needs:

• Volunteers skilled in building trades;
• Unskilled volunteers who can help with physical labor (like mucking and gutting);
• Volunteers who can help answer phone calls and questions in the GPIA office;
• Volunteers with a background in grant writing.

All volunteers and volunteer groups are welcome to join us and we will ensure that your skill set is put to good use!

• Click here to sign yourself or your group up to volunteer now.

We also need funding support for case managers — the two-year grant we received for case management support after Hurricane Ian has now ended. We’re hoping someone can help us with grant writing so we can refill those positions. (You can also donate to recovery here.)

We know there’s a lot to remember about post-storm recovery. The Greater Pine Island Civic Association (GPICA) has posted a summary of news and information on its website that is being updated regularly.

• Click here for the latest updates about things like hurricane debris separation and pick-up, and a debris-collection site opening on the Island; a special household hazardous waste collection day at Phillips Park this Saturday; a county permitting office on the Island; and even information to help you file claims with FEMA and the state of Florida for recovery assistance.

Last night, we hosted Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly, who came from Tallahassee to meet with community business owners and leaders, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Matlacha and Greater Pine Island Civic Associations, to talk about supporting the recovery of the Island’s many restaurants and businesses. We’re hoping he will have resources he can bring to bear to help ease recovery efforts, especially for those located in the community’s historic districts who have received repeated hurricane damage and face many barriers to recovery.

This week, we’re also hosting consumer-focused insurance experts from the nonprofit United Policyholders who can help you navigate your insurance claims process.

• What: Meet with consumer-focused insurance experts at United Policy Holders
• When: 9 a.m. to noon, tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 16; Wednesday, Oct. 23, and Wednesday, Nov. 6
• Etc.: Appointments are not necessary. Consultations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Consultation is free.

We know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but we also know from experience that we will get through it. Together we’re stronger than the surge!

Erin Lollar Lambert

Executive Director

GPIA

Honor Roll

A Special Thanks to the Following Volunteers and Businesses That Helped Make Camp Noah a Success

Volunteers

Greg Brown, Susan Dahod, Amanda Davison, Gerald Davison, Leslie DesJarlais, Robin Kluge, Brianna Lacomb, Cindy Lavin, Mary Lewis Sheehan, Jodi Mann, Robert Mann, Nancy Nelson, Louise Piazza, Tonya Player, Kim Ross, Teresa Shattuck, Tabitha Vinger, Michelle White
Eric Whiteman

Meal, Snack & Cash Donations

The Eagle’s Nest, Honc Industries, Horse Eyed Jake’s American Sliders, Publix at Calusa Cay, Street Eatz and Ale, Salty Girls Island Cafe, Salty Girls Grab ‘n’ Go, Trader Joe’s

Facility

Thanks also go to the St. James City Civic Association for allowing us to host the camp at their center!