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GPICA From page 1 pay for the program, $25 million to go out and buy materials.

“If you need your house gutted, mucked out and repaired, then we can do that. The State of Florida can pay a 501c3, ” Guthrie said, adding that it is up to $5,000 in mold remediation and temporary repairs. “What we want to do is get you to the situation to get mold and mildew out and get you back into something better than now. ”

He also shared information about Hurricane Ian debris cleanup, which can be found at www.IanDebris Cleanup.com

Comfort Stations, which are paid for by the Division of Emergency Management, will remain on the island for a time uncertain, as there will be a time when they will no longer be reimbursable expenses.

The 50 percent rule was also addressed, as there is still a great deal of confusion.

Guthrie said the 50 percent rule is a Florida State Statute, a Florida law for Florida building codes attached to flood plains, which went into effect in 2004.

“It says when you have a home destroyed by a disaster, more than 50 percent damage must be rebuilt to Florida building code. What is 50 percent is defined by the local Board of County Commissioners (or) your city council defines what the 50 percent rule is, ” he said.

A property owner can look at their appraised value of their structure on the Lee County Property Appraiser website and divide it in half.

“If it costs you more than that number to rebuild and repair that home, you must comply with the new Florida building code, ” Guthrie said. “It is a Florida State statute. It is related loosely to the national flood plains, but the decision of what 50 percent is defined by every local jurisdiction. ”

A FEMA representative said there has been more than $19 million put into Pine Island for recovery with $15.8 million going to residents on Pine Island for home owners assistance for repairs, $3.2 for other need assessments and $2.3 million for rental assistance.

Representatives of island organizations also spoke during the Tuesday meeting to provide an update of their assistance.

Matlacha Hookers Vice Madam Julia Gaylor said since the hurricane they have been organizing with a lot of different groups, as well as organizations on the island and independent volunteers that have traveled from all over. Now the organization is focusing on rebuilding supplies, which is being done with a partnership with the American Legion.

“We will be working together purchasing plywood, drywall, drywall screws, mold mitigation cleaning products, totes, electrical outlets and various other items that we are hoping to partner with Ace Hardware here on the island to bring to the island. Our goal would be weekly, ” she said.

The Matlacha Hookers have also been paying for Honey Wagon Services, which pumps out black water from RVs on the island.

“You must be a Pine Island resident and be living in your RV because your home was damaged by Hurricane Ian. You can call them directly and set up that service with them, ” Gaylor said.

She said they are now providing free transportation services on the island by working with a taxi service in Cape Coral. The service started Dec. 10 and runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are stops in St. James City and Bokeelia, where the taxi service will pick up individuals and take them to such public areas as Winn-Dixie, Publix, the library, gas stations and doctor offices.

“You can call the taxi service and let them know and coordinate a time at one of the predetermined stops, ” Gaylor said.

It was also shared that the Pine Island Cares group has created a resource guide, which can be found at www.GreaterPineIslandResourceGuide.com. Printed versions can also be found at the American Legion Post 136, Beacon of Hope, Pine Island United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Pine Island, Pine Island Community Church, Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Station 1 and the Pine Island Public Library.

“We have put together a push notification system. If you sign up for it you are agreeing to get notification. When we are doing building supplies at the fire station, it alerts that person to let them know where the pick-up would

The Matlacha Hookers have been working diligently on gathering information about free resources available from not only local island organizations but also state and federal level. The Pine Island Cares Resource Guide was developed withthecooperationofPICorganizations,ThingsToDoOn Pine Island and volunteers in constant look out for updates. The PDF guide and the website is updated as soon as new information is available. A printed version (which may not be the most recent as it changes daily) can be picked up at the following locations and the most current version can be downloaded from the website https://greaterpineislandresourceguide.com/. The most current version from Dec 7.

They have also implemented a PUSH notification system where pertinent information is sent out via text to residents who enroll in the push notification system. They can enroll by sending an email Subject PUSH ENROLL with their name, cell number and address to PIHurricaneRelief@ gmail.com

Pick up locations: ∫ American Legion Post 136, 4106 Stringfellow Road, Saint James City ∫ Beacon of Hope, 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St James City

∫ Pine Island United Methodist Church, 5701 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia ∫ First Baptist Church of Pine Island, 5363 Avenue D, Bokeelia ∫ Pine Island Community Church, 5320 Doug Taylor Circle, St James City ∫ Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District (Station 1): 5700 Pine Island Rd, Bokeelia ∫ Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia

GPICA From page 8 be, ” Gaylor said.

To sign up for the push notification system, residents should email PIHurricaneRelief@gmail.com with their name, address, cell phone number and email address, which will all be held confidentially.

American Legion Commander Lt. Col. Aaron Barreda said they have transitioned from free to a paid lunch for those that still need meals. He said in addition, the American Legion has representatives helping people sign up for transitional housing, in conjunction with the Greater Pine Island Alliance and the Beacon of Hope.

The Cajun Navy Ground Force reported it would be pullingoutoftheislandonDec.12andislookingfororganizations to look at the remaining tickets to make sure the island is being taken care of and have their needs met.

Katie Arnett of Mullet Runners said they started the organization and began working on the island three days after the hurricane.

“We couldn't leave all the people. We stayed on the islandandcontinuetohelpthecommunity, ”shesaid,adding that they have helped more than 150 homes.

Mullet Runners is trying to focus on everybody they can, while finding the resources and bringing them to people, as many are still isolated.

Nancy Buthman from Beacon of Hope said they began in 2004 after Hurricane Charley and remained.

“We are here. We are kind of long-term. We have a mental health counselor, transportation to medical appointments and treatments, Meals on Wheels, ” she said.

Before Hurricane Ian they gave out 25 meals a day, which has gone down to 9. The food bank is open every Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. and anybody can get food from the emergency pantry on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

First Baptist Church of Pine Island Senior Pastor Jim Olsen said they have seen people coming together in unity. He said it is awesome to see how people have risen up and loved their neighbor like themselves.

“It's awesome to see Pine Island people so giving of themselves. We are here to partner with all the organizations on the island, ” Olsen said. “There is an outpouring of supplies and finances and people off the island donating so much to the island. As much despair as you hear and see, thereis10timesasmuchhopeontheislandofwhatisgoing on. ”

Overthelastseventoeightweeks,hesaidtheyhavebeen hosting teams from all over the country that are coming to the community to serve. Olsen encouraged those who are in needofhelptofilloutagreenform,sowhentheteamscome in town they can pair up the right skilled individual for a particular job.

“Peoplearepayingtocometoourislandtoworkonthese islands. They are using their own resources. We need to make sure that we are grateful, ” Olsen said.

Olsen said they are continuing to offer supplies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He said they have 10 pallets of materials and encouraged the community to take what they need.

For those who need hardware, Olsen said they will gladly let them in the room.

“YouhavetobeaPineIslandresident.Justtakewhatyou need, ” Olsen said.

BeginningonJan.30,hesaidagroupofpeople,about20 to 50, are coming to the church to work on the island for those that cannot get FEMA money, or cannot afford to repair their homes.

“They have a commitment to us for at least six months if not up to three to five years, ” Olsen said.

Each speaker was also asked to share what they continue to see as a need on the islands post Hurricane Ian.

Gaylor said housing is still a great need, as renters do not have a place to go if their house was damaged. She said it is very trying to find and place displaced residents into homes.

“There is still people living in tents, in dilapidated homes and RVs and it is not acceptable, ” she said.

Another need is a confident stream of information that has integrity for islanders.