HOW YOU CAN HELP

Hurricane Helpers: Relief in the Wake of a Hurricane

By Catie Moore

The Sunshine State will rebuild, restore and RISE above as we all join as one community to help each other after the path of destruction left by Hurricane Ian. Here are three organizations that are doing what it takes to make a difference in the lives forever changed on September 28, 2022.

DeVos Family Foundation

The Orlando Magic has announced that the DeVos Family Foundation donated a total of $1 million with $500,000 going to the Hurricane recovery fund, $250,000 to the Florida Disaster Fund and $250,000 for future rebuilding efforts. “Our hearts are with this community, which has long been part of our family,” said Magic chairman Dan DeVos. “We will continue to partner with organizations closest to those most impacted, and as always, prioritize the health and safety of the people in the region. This community is resilient, and our thoughts and prayers are with those affected as well as the leaders and first responders who continually put neighbors first.”

“We talk about perspective of things, us in the sport that we’re in, but it’s more important that we give back and take care of people and take care of the lives that have been impacted and affected by the Hurricane,” Magic coach Jahmal Mosley said. “You just want to make sure that we can do as much as possible, that they know we care and we’re willing to do what’s necessary in order to make sure that people feel that from us.”

For more information, please visit devosfamilyfoundation.org.

Second Harvest Food Bank

Second Harvest Food Bank has wasted no time providing disaster meals to severely impacted areas in our community. SHFB is up and running at an ‘above and beyond’ level to aid families and seniors affected by Hurricane Ian. Volunteers at the Mercy Kitchen are working continuously—packing relief boxes and preparing meals for shelters and home deliveries. The demand for food assistance has just begun and will only increase as families and seniors continue to recover. To make a donation to this organization, please visit Donate to Fight Hunger: - Second Harvest Food Bank Of Central Florida (feedhopenow.org).

Your support will help with: ■ Additional critical mobile food distributions in all six Central

Florida counties (Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Osceola,

Lake) ■ Setting up emergency food pantries in targeted areas ■ Home deliveries through the

Bring Hope Home program ■ Disaster relief boxes

One Blood

One Blood is urgently asking for blood donors post Hurricane Ian. Blood and platelets are needed during rescue missions as well as replenishing our local supply that continues to serve patients with longstanding medical conditions. Central Floridians are encouraged to make a blood donation at the closest donor center or One Blood bus. All blood types are needed, but O Negative and O Positive and platelet donors are in high demand. To make an appointment or to find your nearest donation center, visit donorportal.oneblood.org.

To learn more about what other organizations are doing or to see the full list of organizations making a difference visit centralfloridalifestyle. com.