SARASOTA, Fla. — The phone lines will continue ringing as the 211 helpline for Sarasota County gets a lifeline of its own.
County commissioners cut the $109,000 annual funding to United Way of Suncoast which runs the program. Before the April 1 deadline, a private citizen stepped up to cover the funding for two years to give the program a new lease for the future.
"To basically say 'No, we're not going to get the money after accounting has done it for 25 years' it's just plain selfish," Hugh Culverhouse Jr., a Sarasota philanthropist, said.
Culverhouse who is a Sarasota attorney and developer expressed strong passion as he spoke about the situation.
His offer to pay for the 211 program came after Sarasota County commissioners doubled down on their 4 to 1 vote not to continue funding the 24-hour helpline.
"211 is vital to the county because so many people, whether caused by old age or mental problems, have simple questions that they need the 211 to help them," Culverhouse explained.
"It's that bridge for resources. We need that," Ciller Gibson said.
Gibson who just recently moved out of Sarasota to Tampa said the 211 helpline saved her when she found herself facing hard times with her children right after a divorce.
"You have got people out there who are one step, one phone call, one bill, one dollar from homeless. They've provide so much services. They guide you through the way and they also pay for a lot of things," Gibson explained.
Gibson, whose son is in the military, is concerned about veterans.
"They sponsored the crisis suicide prevention hotline. You got a lot of them getting out of the military. They don't know where to go," she said. "211 connects you. It's a connection."
Culverhouse hopes his $218,000 donation will buy time for more donations or permanent funding.
"Common sense may return and when it does, funding something vital for poor people in Sarasota should occur," Culverhouse said.
"We welcome all people to Sarasota not just people with money, and as soon as the commission understands you serve everybody, the better off Sarasota County will be," he said.
United Way Suncoast CEO says Culverhouse has already sent the funds and that they're thankful he stepped up to help keep the resource accessible to Sarasota County residents.