Early last month Florida was struck by one of the strongest recorded hurricanes in the Atlantic to date. The full scope of damage caused by Hurricane Irma is still being revealed as recovery efforts are moving forward to rebuild and provide relief to those in need.
The Sierra Club has been collecting donations on behalf of those most impacted by this tragedy. Throughout the fundraising process, we pledged to donate 100% of funds directly to community led groups that are working to help the most affected communities through the long recovery effort. With organized recovery efforts now underway, we are pleased to share some early examples of the relief efforts the Sierra Club’s Florida Chapter is using these funds to support. We have chosen committed and effective groups that share our values of equality and dedication to help those impacted by Irma through the weeks, months, and years to come.
We have ensured that every dollar is accounted for and is being spent to directly support impacted communities through the groups listed below. Importantly, Sierra Club is not using any money raised through the hurricane relief effort for our own administrative expenses.
Relief Grant Recipients:
The Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF) in Apopka, FL received a $15,000 relief grant. FWAF is a strong statewide ally of Sierra Club Florida that has created a fund to help farm workers impacted by Hurricane Irma throughout Florida with immediate needs (including housing, food, and utilities) as well as recovery. Many farm workers are not eligible for FEMA aid or are unable to apply for FEMA aid. Big losses in produce fields are leading to layoffs which magnify their problems. FWAF has also asked Sierra Club Florida to find volunteers to help with housing repairs. This relief grant will directly aid in these efforts throughout Irma recovery
Lotus House Shelter in Miami, FL received a $7,500 relief grant. Sierra Club's Inspiring Connections Outdoors program in Miami has a strong relationship with the Lotus House Shelter, which identifies homeless children and their parents at the shelter to join our ICO trips to explore the outdoors. The Lotus House is now providing hurricane relief to the 250 women and children who are in their shelter. They have been raising funds from the Miami community and have asked us for this grant to get the shelter 100% restored from Hurricane Irma damage.
Newtown Success Zone in Jacksonville, FL received a $7,500 relief grant. Sierra Club's Northeast Florida group has worked with the Newtown Success Zone on a local climate change campaign and is deepening our relationship with the environmental justice/community group. Newtown will use the Sierra Club grant to directly service 100 families in the Jacksonville area who were impacted by Irma with direct assistance as well as toiletries and cleaning supplies. Recipients will primarily include those who have been flooded and lost everything. They will vet families in need of aid and provide funding for necessities such as gas, diapers, formula, school supplies, food, and supplies for fixing property damages.
Kina Phillips in South Bay, FL received a $1,000 relief grant. Kina Phillips is a community leader in the impoverished sugar farming town of South Bay, Florida, who will use this gift to provide food and supplies to members of the South Bay and Belle Glade community who lost power and suffered losses during Hurricane Irma.
