COMMUNITY
U.S. Congresswoman XX Cherfilus-McCormick, U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black met with FEMA representatives about Hurricae Ian’s impact.
Julius Amos stands in his home where the storm waters reached the line on the wall behind him.
ONYX MAGAZINE TEAMED UP WITH FLORIDA LEADERS TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR RESIDENTS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY HURRICANE IAN.
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Orlando. We also are delivering ublisher Rich Black joined U.S. meals over in Orlovista, which we Congresswoman Frederica know was hardest hit in Orange Wilson (Florida 17th District), County,” said Hill. “HOA presidents U.S. Congresswoman, Sheila Cherare taking meals to many they filus-McCormick (Florida 20th Disknow who have been impacted. In trict), Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, downtown, we have been serving Orlando Commissioner Regina I. Hill, those who are experiencing home(District 5), Tara Dorsey of 26Health, lessness.” and Orlando Clerk of Court Tiffany From Lake Lorna Doone, Black, Moore Russell at the Denny’s Mobile Wilson and Cherfilus-McCormick Relief Diner, where Orlando residents caravanned to Orlovista and who weathered the storm received learned about some of the resifree hot meals. Denny’s VP April Kelly-Drummond, Tiffany Moore-Russell, ONYX Publisher dents’ challenges since Ian swept “When we have disasters, there Rich Black, U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Orlando Commissioner through their streets. are opportunities for us to hear the Regina I. Hill, 26th Health Government Affairs Director Tara Dorsey. Residents Julius and Clara untold stories in the vulnerable communities and how residents are impacted,” said Black. “It’s said that when Amos and their daughter Lorene Johnson stood in their front yard with America catches a cold, Black America catches pneumonia. (Some of our piles of suits, dresses and shoes that had been damaged when flood communities) have pneumonia. We are all committed to change and we waters rushed into their home. Mr. Amos invited the group into their home and recalled the terrifying experience. can only do that effectively when we come together as a community.” “The electricity went off and within two hours’ time, the house was During the two-day event on Monday and Tuesday, October 10-11, Denny’s served pancakes and sausage to nearly 1,000 people who visited the 53-foot filled with water,” said Amos. “It stayed that way for three or four days.” “The storm surge crashed the front door and brought limbs, wood, diner at Lake Lorna Doone Park or received deliveries from community volunteers. The Mobile Relief Diner has traveled across the United States since 2017 leaves,” said Johnson. “Things that were on the top shelves of closets got wet because the water was like a tidal wave coming into the house. (My to serve free breakfasts to those impacted by natural disasters. “We are a friend of the community and we are going where the need is,” parents) left in a boat.” The home is currently uninhabitable, so the Amoses will live with said April Kelly-Drummond, the vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Denny’s. “That’s what’s it about—all of us coming together where Johnson in Seminole County until damages can be repaired. They started their FEMA paperwork, and now they wait. there is a need.” At a news conference, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer expressed his appreFinally, the community leaders headed to a FEMA briefing in Kissimciation for the effort. His thoughts were echoed by those of Orlando mee. Representatives explained Regina I. Hill, city commissioner of they have identified the commuDistrict 5, which was hard-hit with nities with the highest needs and flooding and wind damage. However, ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black learned about how to further have been on the ground door-tohelp residents negatively impacted by Hurricane Ian. First a stop at Denny’s’ efforts extended beyond Denny’s Mobile Relief Diner followed by an interview with STAR 94.5, door in those neighborhoods. those borders. a trip to Orlovista with hard-hit residents, and finally a briefing at a “I am so grateful (Denny’s) used FEMA office in Kissimmee. For residents who need assiswhat I call ‘the jewel of the westFor residents who need assistance, please contact FEMA at tance, please contact FEMA at side,’ Lake Lorna Doone as their hub https://www.fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ian https://www.fema.gov/disaster/hurto extend this important effort out ricane-ian to the citizens, not just in the city of
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