Have you seen the images on TV?
Hurricane Michael has hit Florida real hard in 2018.
I followed it closely on TV from Europe before we left for Florida.
But let me tell you this, those images are nothing compared to what we encountered here.
What You Need To Know
It´s December 30 and we decided to take highway 98, following the south coast of Florida´s Panhandle looking for a nice place to park our RV to celebrate New Year’s.
People warned us to not go over highway 98 because there are some rough parts there after Hurricane Michael.
I am so glad I didn´t listen to them!
Passing St Joe, we started to see the devastation, but when rolled into Mexico Beach we could not believe our eyes. No television image or picture can describe the devastation we encountered there.
The word is that out of the 2700 houses in Mexico Beach, 2200 were blown away or need to be torn down. Only 500 survived the storm but still need repairs.
I parked the RV where once stood a gas station and decided that celebrating New Year couldn´t be a priority when so many people need help.
We decided to volunteer.
3 Months After Hurricane Michael
Now you might think, this is old news. This has happened 3 month ago. They must be on their feet again by now….
And I did think the same!
But after volunteering in the Ground Zero Hurricane Relief tent for a week now, I know better.
They need our help now more than ever!
In the first 60 days after the Hurricane a lot of help comes their way. Communications, electricity, water and roads are restored. People search for solutions to live in (Tent, Trailer, Car, Rv etc) or do emergency repairs on the houses that still stand so they can stay dry and warm at night.
Food and blankets are brought in by the government.
But after the first 60 days after the disaster, they all leave again…..
Leaving those who lost everything relying on their own.
But how can you support your family when you lost everything in one day? And when I say everything I mean everything, House, car, work, business….loved ones…everything.
Private Disaster Relief Organizations
After 3 months reality kicks in.
That point is NOW!
Most people have been camping next to what was their house once for 3 months, and now those houses are all taken down.
I see it every day.
One by one houses disappear around me. It’s a horrible sight. Especially when you get to know the families that used to live there.
For 3 months they have lived between Hope and Desperation.
But when you have no income and see your house get pulled down, reality kicks in hard.
And there are only some private disaster relief organizations left here to help them……
Donations Are Needed
Those organizations have small funds to help people in disasters. But those funds are running on empty after 3 months!
Here in the tent where we help out, a small group of local volunteers have been working relentlessly for free for 3 months now.
They know the stories of the people who need help.
They see them every day when they come in for a hot meal, some basic groceries, blankets and clothes.
They have comforted them, cried with them and just listened to those horror stories of what happened.
Those people are the real heroes here!
Not those who came in the first 60 days, paid by the government or insurance companies.
And these volunteers realize that when money is running out, 3 months after the storm, they will have to shut operations down.
Donations are needed!
Locals bring in what they can to help, but without donations, there is simply not enough for all those who need it!
Every Little Bit Helps
After volunteering here for over a week now, I have seen the tent grow emptier and emptier. Goods go out faster than they come in.
I know it’s probably far away for you what happens here and there is so much going on in the world. So many people who could use our help.
But try to put yourself in their situation.
Imagine that in one day, everything you have fought for all your life is blown away. And on top of that, the place you used to earn your daily living for your family is blown away as well!
There you find yourself living in a tent, a car or caravan next to the rubble that once was your house.
Wouldn´t you appreciate it when someone or some organization would take care of you?
Give you and your family your basic daily needs until you find a way to get back on your feet?
3 months after the disaster the world has forgotten you and your family, but just a small group of volunteers keep helping you.
Ground Zero Hurricane Relief.com
Ground Zero Hurricane Relief is such an organization. And after spending over a week with them in Mexico Beach ad St Joe, I can assure you they are doing a tremendous job!
And They Need Your HELP!
They can only help those who need it when they receive your help!
They rely on donations.
Big or Small, everything is appreciated and well spend!
They Really, Really Need Your Help!
Your help is much appreciated!
From Mexico Beach, where Hurricane Michael made 2200 families homeless in a few hours in October 2018 I call on your goodness, because goodness will be rewarded.
That is how the universe works!
Thank You Very Much,
Roy Bonté
Laura Bonté-Ankersmit
Jochem Bonté
Lars Bonté
Merel Bonté
and the rest of the volunteers.
