I live in the Panhandle of Florida, approximately 75 miles from where Hurricane Michael devastated Mexico Beach, and Panama City. Other much smaller communities were destroyed as well but aren’t talked about right now.
I have posted pictures of my family and I having fun, with no damage. It so could have been us if the storm hadn’t turn. We were blessed by a cold front coming from the North, that’s it. We are helping by donating items that we purchased for the storm and didn’t use. If you feel the need to help but don’t know where to start please see below. If nothing else, please pray for those affected and those helping.
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
Many of us are being contacted by family, friends, church groups and community members wanting to do something to help in regard to Hurricane Michael.
On a consolidated effort we are recommending Volunteer Florida. They are located in Tallahassee and are the lead agency for volunteerism in Florida. Their board of commissioners are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate.
They can be reached at www.volunteerflorida.org info@volunteerflorida.org https://www.facebook.com/VolunteerFlorida and 850-414-7400. If you go to their website, you initially have 2 options, “donate” money or “volunteer” to choose from. Those links will take you to other pages to fill in information.
There are a lot of people that want to deliver supplies. For law enforcement, public safety, emergency workers, residents, animals, etc. We are trying to determine needs, the receiving point and coordinator for those efforts. It’s a huge effort and could sometimes cause significant logistical complications on site, and please don’t recommend anyone just head that way without coordination. They may arrive and not be allowed to enter the area, nowhere to deliver and the community doesn’t know it’s there to collect.
Blessings.
mommajerryanns.com 