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Hurricane Ian Recovery – Get Help, Give Help in SWFL

Following the devastation of Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida, Priority Marketing has several clients that are providing donations or support services as well as those who are seeking volunteers and/or donations.  

The following lists have been compiled that outline where to get help or ways that people can volunteer or donate.  

GET HELP 

Better Together  

  • Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, has vetted and background-checked host volunteer families available to provide short term childcare to first responders, essential workers and families in need of getting their children into a safe environment. 
  • Better Together is also working with local employers to find workers to assist with damage. 
  • Employers and job seekers can contact Better Together for assistance. 
  • Get Help: bettertogetherus.org/better-families/apply-for-help
     

Cape Christian

  • Cape Christian will be deploying teams of volunteers to help the residents of Cape Coral in need of minor roof repairs and tarping. Please contact Greg Johnson at 952-999-2685. Roofing repair and tarping services will be provided by the Adventure Disaster Relief Team and will be based on need and limited to Cape Coral residents with no other means to prevent further damage.
  • Cape Christian will also be deploying teams of volunteers throughout some of the hardest-hit areas of SWFL to deliver supplies to families in need.

 Community Cooperative 

  • The nonprofit provides emergency groceries, hot food, social services as well as Meals on Wheels food and mobile food pantry deliveries throughout Lee and North Collier County 
  • The Community Market is open Monday – Friday with emergency groceries and hot meals at 3429 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Fort Myers and pop-up Mobile Food Pantries are hosted as available.  
  • Visit Community Cooperative’s Facebook page for upcoming pantries. https://www.facebook.com/communitycooperative 

Family Initiative  

  • Family Initiative’s Autism Support Center in Cape Coral has reopened to provide basic food supplies and bottled water for Southwest Florida families in need. 
  • The Autism Support Center’s resource center/pop-up food pantry, located at 734 SW 4th St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ongoing through Wednesday, October 12.

Hope Healthcare 

  • Hope Healthcare is currently providing a range of services including:
    • Hospice and palliative care for adults and children in Lee County, including hospice at home – more info at www.hopehospice.org
    • Food, home-delivered meals and transportation for at-risk seniors in Hendry and Glades counties – more info at https://hopehcs.org/programs/
    • Grief and counseling services both in-person and virtual
    • Music and art therapy services both in-person and virtual
    • Specialized care for veterans in Lee County – more info at https://hopehcs.org/services/
    • Pet Program offering necessary services to keep hospice patients and their pets together
  • Hope’s care centers are located at:
    • 9740 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers FL 33908
    • 2430 Diplomat Pkwy. E, Cape Coral FL 33909
    • 27200 Imperial Pkwy, Bonita Springs FL 34135
    • 1201 Wings Way, Lehigh Acres FL 33936
  • Donations to support life-saving care and hurricane recovery efforts can be made at www.morehope.org

NAMI Collier County 

  • The Sarah Ann Drop-In Center, a confidential, accepting, and safe environment where people over the age of 18 with a mental illness diagnosis can participate in support groups and activities is open with AC and electricity, but the center does not have working internet or phones at this time. 
  • Those with mental illnesses and their families who are in need of peer support, food pantry supplies, clothing, coffee, a shower, air conditioning or laundry support are welcome at the center Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  
  • We know one in five people live with mental illnesses daily; with the widespread devastation that has occurred, the stressors and triggers are magnified. If you are feeling overwhelmed and need to speak to some of NAMI’s Peer Operators, call the Wam Line at 800-945-1355 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, or the National Suicide Hotline at 988. 

 

Lee BIA Builders Care 

  • Builders Care is providing a range of services at no cost to elderly and/or disabled homeowners in need, including roof tarping, water damage mitigation, window replacement, AC repair, roof repairs, property debris and tree cleanup, plumbing repairs, electrical repairs, wheelchair ramp rebuilds and delivery of food, water and other essentials. 
  • Elderly and/or disabled homeowners in need can visit www.leebuilderscare.com/hurricanerelief for more information.
     

TwinCutZ 

  • TwinCutZ, a professional barber shop is providing free hair washes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday at its Coconut Point location at 23050 Via Villagio, Suite 123, in Estero. 
  • Website: twincutz.com 

 

United Way 

  • United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties offers a 24-hour helpline for local information and services. 
  • Phone: 2-1-1 or 239-433-2000 
  • Website: unitedwaylee.org  

Vibe Yoga 

  • In recognition of the impact of Hurricane Ian on children and families, Vibe Yoga and The Barn at Smith Acres are offering Kid’s Yoga from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 13 at Smith Acres, 6470 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers. 
  • The session, designed to help support children’s mental health, includes Kids Yoga, farm animals, scavenger hunt, gratitude practice, crafts and snacks. Children will also learn simple yoga breathing exercises that are beneficial in handling stress. 
  • “So many parents are focused on recovery, and children’s routines have been disrupted,” said Lindsay Smith, founder of Vibe Yoga. “We wanted to help make this devastating school break a bit more enjoyable for families. While we are offering this to elementary school-aged children, the whole family is invited to come out.” 
  • The event is offered for free, with donations accepted to Vibe Yoga’s programs to support veterans. Each participant is asked to bring a towel and water bottle. Parents can register their kids by texting their name and the children attending to Lindsay at 816-616-9906. 
  • For information on Vibe Yoga, visit VibeYogaSWFL.com, or Vibe Yoga’s Facebook page. 

 

Dwayne Bergman Interiors  

  • Dwayne Bergman Interiors, located at 12195 Metro Parkway in Fort Myers, will be distributing supplies including food, diapers, wipes, paper products, personal hygiene products, dog/cat food and more on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. 

 

VOLUNTEER OR DONATE 

Avow Hospice 

  • In-kind donations are now being accepted at the Avow campus to supply necessities to Avow employees, patients and families.  
  • Needs include towels, sheets, air mattresses, pillows, personal hygiene supplies of toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, deodorant, wipes, non-perishable food, water, Gatorade, cleaning supplies, trash bags, first aid supplies, batteries, flashlights, battery and cell phone chargers, portable fans, blue tarps, paper towels and toilet paper. Gift cards ($25 denominations best) are also appreciated for gas, grocery, Walmart, and Target. Any support will make a difference.  
  • To donate cash, visit avowcares.org.  
  • Address: 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples 
  • Phone: Avow is always open to help. Call 239-261-4404 or toll free 888-484-AVOW (2869) any time to speak to a team member 
  • Website: avowcares.org 

 

Better Together  

  • Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, has vetted and background-checked host volunteer families available to provide short term childcare to first responders, essential workers and families in need of getting their children into a safe environment.  
  • Better Together is partnering with Cape Christian, Mission Church and churches across the state and country to distribute supplies to Southwest Florida families in need. Partners are distributing supplies ranging from tarps, batteries, gas cans, water and non-perishable food to family items including diapers, baby formula and personal hygiene kits. 
  • Needs:  
  • Volunteers are needed across Southwest Florida and Sarasota to serve as host families and to help deliver resources to families.  
  • Donations of supplies are also being accepted at Cape Christian, 2110 Chiquita Blvd. S. in Cape Coral. 

Cajun Navy 

  • The Cajun Navy from Louisiana is in Fort Myers providing hot meals every day for people in need.  
  • Cajun Navy is accepting canned food donations, baby supplies, cleaning supplies, water bottles, and trash cans from now until Oct. 14. You can drop off supplies from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 17105 San Carlos Blvd. 

Cape Christian Food & Supplies Distribution 

  • Cape Christian needs volunteers to assist with tarping roofs, tree removal, and yard cleanup throughout Cape Coral, Pine Island, and other highly impacted areas of SWFL.
  • Cape Christian is also in need of roof workers to assist the Adventure Disaster Relief Team with roof repairs. This entails applying underlayment and hammer tacking. All roof repairs will be for single-story homes and only to repair shingle damage. Anyone interested in assisting with roof repairs should contact Brad Carlton at 203-314-5903. Roofing repair services will be provided based on need and will be limited to Cape Coral residents with no other means to prevent further damage. In addition, Cape Christian is asking for donations of the following roofing materials: 
    • Rolls of 4’ x 250’ Plasfelt Synthetic Underlayment 
    • Rolls of 4’ x 250’ Dupont Tyvek Protective Underlayment 
    • HT50 Hammer Tackers 
    • T50 Staples for the Hammer Tackers 
    • Furring Strips 
    • Cap Nails 

 

Community Cooperative 

 

Conservancy of Southwest Florida von Arx Wildlife Hospital 

  • The Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s von Arx Wildlife Hospital is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to care for animals injured in Hurricane Ian. In addition, the hospital and campus have needs for donations that can be dropped off in front of the wildlife hospital, 1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples. 
  • Towels (most needed) 
  • Reusable ice packs 
  • Romaine lettuce 
  • Apples 
  • Carrots 
  • Corn 
  • Oranges 
  • Bleach 
  • Detergent 
  • Hand sanitizer 
  • Carbon filters 
  • D batteries 
  • Heavy-duty extension cords, 25ft or greater 
  • Heavy duty surge protectors 
  • Items can also be purchased at Amazon Wishlist  and Chewy Wishlist.  
  • The Collier Community Foundation has established the Collier Comes Together Hurricane Fund to benefit Southwest Florida nonprofit relief efforts and programs to get funds where they are needed most. To help, click here. 

 

Dwayne Bergmann Interiors 

  • Designers and Builders Unite – Rebuilding our Community Together 
  • To tackle our immediate needs, together with Stacey Callahan, publisher of Luxe Interiors + Design Florida and Ryan Watlee of Watlee Construction we have gathered highly needed supplies, including bottled water, paper towels, paper plates, toiletries, and more that will be distributed at Dwayne Bergmann Interiors, 12195 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers. 
  • Please donate to the Designers and Builders Unite Hurricane Ian Relief Fund here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/a949s6-ian-relief-fund 

 

Elite DNA Behavioral Health 

  • Elite DNA Behavioral Health offices from around the state will be collecting supplies for victims of Hurricane Ian. Items include food, gently used or new clothing and essential items. Donations will be provided to the Heights Foundation, Harry Chapin Food Bank and Community Cooperative. 
  • Drop-off sites include: 
  • Fort Myers 
  • Naples 
  • Lehigh 
  • Port Charlotte 
  • Jacksonville 
  • Tallahassee 
  • Orange Park 
  • Gainesville 
  • Bradenton 
  • Brandon 
  • Brooksville 
  • Jupiter 
  • Lakeland 
  • Loxahatchee 
  • Maitland 
  • New Port Richey 
  • Ormond Beach 
  • Oviedo 
  • Sarasota 
  • Tampa 
  • Wesley Chapel 
  • Weston 

 

Family Initiative 

  • To continue providing services to families with autism in need, Family Initiative is seeking donations of nonperishable food items, cases of water, batteries, or financial contributions.  
  • The Autism Support Center’s resource center/pop-up food pantry, located at 734 SW 4th St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ongoing through Wednesday, October 12.  
  • If donors are unable to deliver items, Family Initiative can arrange pick up as well as the distribution of goods to families, if possible.   
  • Please visit, fi-florida.org/ for more information.  

Fort Myers Brewing

  • Owners of Fort Myers Brewing have established a GoFundMe to support employees who are working to overcome varying levels of physical damage to their homes after Hurricane Ian. Any donation made will go directly to staff.
  • Donations can be made at https://gofund.me/aec79ac0

Habitat for Humanity 

  • As a housing ministry, Habitat for Humanity is committed to serving its neighbors during this unprecedented disaster, but it can’t do it without monetary support.  
  • The organization has developed a Habitat Hurricane Recovery Fund to help respond to short-term and long-term catastrophic housing needs for families in Lee and Hendry Counties.  
  • To define these needs, the organization is working on opening Habitat Hurricane Resource Sites in hard-hit areas of Lee County (which includes Harlem Heights). Families in need will be able to meet with Habitat staff and an intake file will be started. The organization will determine their immediate needs, how they can help (including supply distribution) and continue their file until their long-term needs are met.  
  • Donations can be made on the organization’s website:  https://www.habitat4humanity.org/donate/. 

 

Healthcare Network 

  • Healthcare Network’s Community Outreach team is providing much-needed supplies, including bottled water, canned goods, personal care items (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste), baby diapers and adult briefs for the elderly who have been impacted by the storm.  
  • All donations to the Community Outreach Fund will directly benefit Collier County residents.  
  • To donate, visit healthcareswfl.org/donate. 

 

Hope Healthcare 

  • Hope Healthcare needs funding to continue providing care to people needing hospice and palliative care who have been displaced due to Hurricane Ian. They are working to deliver medications, oxygen and essential supplies to people in their homes as well as provide shelter to as many people as possible at their care centers. Donations are being accepted at MoreHope.org 
  • They are working quickly to provide community grief response services and details will be provided soon. 

 

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples 

  • Hurricane Ian Emergency Disaster Relief Fund: 100% of contributions go to help our community and Southwest Florida. 
  • Donations/checks can be made payable to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste 2201, Naples, FL 34109.  
  • To a link to donate online, visit jewishnaples.org. 

 

Lee BIA Builders Care 

  • Lee BIA Builders Care is rallying local builders and support from the community to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners impacted by Hurricane Ian. Builders Care is providing a range of services, including roof tarping, water damage mitigation, window replacement, AC repair, roof repairs, property debris and tree cleanup, plumbing repairs, electrical repairs, wheelchair ramp rebuilds and delivery of food, water and other essentials. 
  • Volunteer: Individuals, groups, contractors and suppliers can help by donating time and resources to help make a project possible. 
  • Donate: The nonprofit has established a Hurricane Ian Builders Care Relief Fund to support hurricane relief efforts and is accepting donations at www.leebuilderscare.com/hurricanerelief. One hundred percent of donations will go directly to serving elderly and/or disabled homeowners in need of critical home repairs following Hurricane Ian. 

 

Lee Health Foundation 

  • Lee Health Foundation has announced creation of the SWFL Stronger Together employee relief fund to provide critical aid to the thousands of healthcare professionals who suffered incredible loss in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, many while serving patients at Lee Health hospitals across SWFL. 
  • Lee Health is the largest employer in Lee County, with more than 15,000 employees, many of them personally impacted by Hurricane Ian. Many of the staff at HealthPark Medical Center and Golisano Children’s Hospital of SWFL who worked during the hurricane lost their cars due to flooding. Many are in need of transportation assistance, housing, meals and water. Relief funds will go to supporting staff and ensuring continued patient care as the community goes through this difficult time.  
  • To donate, visit Leehealthfoundation.org/swfl-stronger-together/. 

 

 

Matanzas on the Bay 

  • Owners of Matanzas on the Bay have established a fundraiser to support employees who are working to get back on their feet and facing unemployment while the restaurant works to rebuild after extensive damage from Hurricane Ian.  
  • Donations can be made at www.facebook.com/MatanzasInnResort.  

 

NAMI Collier County 

  • October 2 – 8 is Mental Health Awareness Week. We know one in five people live with mental illnesses daily; with the widespread devastation that has occurred, the stressors and triggers are magnified. NAMI Collier County is working with community partners to collect food and clothing supplies. Immediate needs are: 
  • Gift cards to Publix, Walmart, or gas stations 
  • Ready-to-eat food items (tuna cans/pouches, shelf stable milk, cereals, spaghetti ohs, instant mac and cheese cups, etc.) 
  • Clothing- larger, comfortable adult clothing (t-shirts, athletic shorts, socks, underwear) 
  • Gardening gloves to help with recovery efforts 
  • Monetary donations to NAMI to support programs and outreach efforts: https://namicollier.salsalabs.org/HopeShines   

 

Pace Center for Girls, Lee 

  • Pace Center for Girls, Lee is working to provide resources to Pace girls directly impacted by the storm, helping them get the essential items they need to begin recovering. 
  • Monetary donations to support these outreach efforts can be made at: https://www.pacecenter.org/locations/florida/lee?form=Lee 

 

PierSide Grill & Famous Blowfish Bar 

  • Owners of PierSide Grill & Famous Blowfish Bar have established a fundraiser to support employees who are working to get back on their feet and facing unemployment while the restaurant works to rebuild after total loss from Hurricane Ian.  
  • Donations can be made at www.facebook.com/piersidegrill.  

 

Studio+  

  • Studio+ has partnered with The American Institute of Architects (AIA) to collect items for donation at our Studio+ Fort Myers office in Gateway.  
  • Donations needed: Towels, Clothes, Food, Bleach, Hand Sanitizer, Reusable Ice Packs, Carbon Filters, D-Batteries, Heavy Duty Extension Cords, 25’ or Greater, Heavy Duty Surge Protectors 
  • Address: 12271 Towne Lake Drive, Fort Myers 

 

TwinCutz 

  • Professional barber shop collecting clothing donations for all ages at the following locations: 
  • Coconut Point (Estero): 23050 Via Villagio, Suite 123  
  • Gulf Coast Town Center (Fort Myers): 9918 Gulf Coast Main St., Unit 140 
  • Daniels Parkway (Fort Myers): 6900 Daniels Parkway, Unit 18  
  • Naples: 5038 Airport-Pulling Road 
  • Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
  • Website: twincutz.com 

 

United Way 

  • United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties, in partnership with the Collaboratory, is asking for the community’s support, not just locally but nationally and globally. The needs are greater than you can imagine, and the resources are limited.  
  • In collaboration with Lee County Government, FEMA and local partner agencies, our priority right now is short-term, immediate needs. We are asking for monetary donations, which will give United Way the flexibility to properly vet and meet families where they are with what they need. Donated funds give much-needed assistance to the victims of Hurricane Ian so families can purchase new, clean clothes and necessary personal essentials. All donations stay local to provide direct support to communities including Pine Island, Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach and throughout Lee County. Visit www.leegov.com/storm and click the red “Donate” button to contribute to the SWFL Emergency Relief Fund. 

 

Wonder Gardens 

  • The Wonder Gardens is a 96-year-old botanical garden and zoo at 27180 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs. While the animals and staff of the gardens are OK, the Welcome Center, Administration Building, and Animal Care Kitchen are all non-operational.
  • Volunteers are now being recruited on a project basis. Volunteers can sign up online at https://volunteer.volunteerflorida.org/…/post-hurricane… or email education@wondergardens.org
  • Even with extensive hurricane preparation, the Gardens lost its Animal Care Kitchen & refrigerators, where the animal care team prepares daily diets. The Gardens are in major need of animal food along with other miscellaneous items. To donate by mail, please send to 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 or visit https://wondergardens.org/donations/ 
  • The Billy the Bee Foundation has pledged to match up to $10,000 in donations to help with Hurricane Ian recovery necessary to reopen the Gardens. To donate, visit https://wondergardens.org/hurricane-ian/
  • A complete list of animal food needed (no seeds please), and other items is available on Wonder Gardens Facebook page.  
  • Please email sarahw@wondergardens.org with any questions.   

 

 

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