PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — A nonprofit organization is putting in the work to help southwest Florida recover and rebuild after Hurricane Ian ravaged the coast.
All Hands and Hearts, an international disaster relief nonprofit, has committed to a yearlong volunteer program in southwest Florida, working around the clock to conduct relief efforts throughout the region. Tasks include "gathering and disseminating critical supplies to displaced residents, home mucking and gutting and salvaging, removing debris and felling downed trees," the nonprofit says.
AHAH is not new to delivering relief effort where it's needed. This nonprofit has also deployed chainsaw teams from their California wildfire relief program to the Port Charlotte and Naples area to help clear downed trees and debris blocking roadways.
The nonprofit established a base in Port Charlotte, Florida, where they mobilize volunteers, supplies and other resources to the surrounding communities hit hard by the storm. AHAH has received more than 600 volunteer applications to help with relief efforts. If you're looking to volunteer, you must fill out an application on the nonprofit's website.
Since Hurricane Ian passed through, volunteers have completed nearly 30 home assessments, two tree-felling jobs and are completing the base setup for residential volunteers for the Hurricane Ian Relief program to join on Oct. 7.
"As we’ve seen for ourselves the aftermath of Hurricane Ian and the significant impacts it’s had on the people of Florida, we know we have a lot of work to do in this area to help those who have lost everything return to a life of normalcy," CEO of AHAH Jess Thompson said in a news release. "We want the people in these areas to know that we arrive early and stay late, and we plan to be here for the long haul to help them get back on their feet."
In the 12 months the AHAH pledges to continue disaster relief efforts, they hope to accomplish laying the groundwork for home rebuilding projects to provide residents with "safer, more weather-resilient homes."