Hurricane Heroes

Header photo by Nancy Guth | December 2022—In the wake of Hurricane Ian and all the destruction it bore, we asked readers in the community to nominate people or groups who went above and beyond to lend a hand during and after the storm. Here are some of their amazing stories. 

Hurricane Ian proved to be a time for the All Star team, foster families, and the foster children, to support each other and serve others. After the hurricane, the foster families who live on our campus and our team members immediately went to work clearing the campus playground. Even the children helped by piling sticks. One child pulled a wagon to each home on campus, handing out apples to each family. One our clinical counselors sat outside at a picnic table and spoke with all the children and most of the parents, helping them process their feelings in the aftermath of the hurricane. By the evening, it was movie night in the clubhouse for all the children and families, thanks to the generator on campus, which also included popcorn, pillows, and blankets. Even during such a horrible crisis, the kids experienced life as part of a loving community. We are grateful our campus did not sustain major damage, and we continue to keep those who have lost so much in our thoughts.

The All Star team has stepped up to use our trauma expertise to serve those who have been devastated by the hurricane: 

• All Star team members empowered a group of All Star foster children to help those in need—taking the foster kids to Grace Church to help with their relief outreach and write cards of encouragement 
• Our clinical team provided mental health crisis response services—psychological first aid—to families at a local school hurricane shelter who were unable to return to their homes 
• We partnered with the Red Cross Hurricane Shelter in Venice and our Clinical Director, clinical staff, Chief Development Officer/music teacher, and members of the campus team spent time there providing music and craft classes as well as mental health activities to the kids at the shelter. All Star also provided bags of goodies and activities for all the kids who are staying there. 
• We also provided clothes and supplies to local foster families who lost homes and clothes in the hurricane.

—Submitted by Noah Riner

At Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, we serve girls in 10 counties stretching across much of the southwest coast of Florida, so we are no stranger to the devastation that hurricanes can leave in their wake. As Hurricane Ian recently came ashore, directly impacting our council families and staff, our members showcased selflessness, resilience, and bravery. While many were dealing with damages within their own lives and homes, our Girl Scouts courageously stepped up to help others in their communities. Everything that Girl Scouts teaches and stands for, prepares them for moments like these.

We have seen remarkable demonstrations of community service throughout our council. We continue to receive stories of our members helping out post Hurricane Ian. Listed below are some stand out Hurricane Heroes from our council.  

• Troop 900 collected over 2,000 feminine hygiene products to distribute to girls in need after Hurricane Ian caused many stores to close. 
• During their first meeting, Daisy Troop 108 brought gifts to donate to their local animal shelter all while learning about the impact that hurricanes have on animals in their community. 
• Troop 617 collected toys, puzzles, books and more for their neighbors at Vineland Elementary to replace classroom items destroyed by the storm. 
• Troop 336 participated in a beach clean-up on Anna Maria Island after storm debris scattered the beaches. 
• Troop 254 collected, packaged, and distributed hurricane supplies to those in need all over Sarasota County. 

During a natural disaster like Hurricane Ian, Girl Scouts prove the importance of lending a hand and being a part of an organization that encourages you to do so. We are proud to be able to provide girls with a strong foundation to react to such adversity with great strength and resilience while striving to make the world a better place.

—Submitted by Dani McDaniels

Art Ovation Hotel offered complimentary coffee, tea, water and the lobby for electricity to locals so those who didn’t have power could charge their phones. 

—Submitted by Asa Harris

I’d like to nominate our condo manager Teal White. Not only did she do a fantastic job of making sure our association property was readily prepped for Ian, but she protected one of our senior widow owners. Gerda had planned to evacuate to the Ritz Carlton but when she went to check in, she was told the hotel was closing. Teal immediately picked her up and took her to her home where she stayed for the next week. They rode out the storm together with no power for several days. Teal cooked dinner on her portable grill and they had a great time. Gerda and her family are eternally grateful to Teal.

—Submitted by John lynch

I have had the pleasure of volunteering with the local food trucks, JFCS of the Suncoast, and Oasis Church doing debris clean-up, bringing in water and emergency supplies, and delivering hot meals and groceries door to door in Arcadia, North Port, Pt. Charlotte, Sarasota, and Wauchula. Emily Nunez, Michael Stancombe, Lora Rust, and I also worked together to host a food truck event (that included Smokin Momma Lora’s BBQ, Dee’z Diner, and Florida Poutine Company) on campus at JFCS giving out hot meals to those impacted by Hurricane Ian. Churches, Organizations, Neighborhoods, and individuals came to pick up the meals to consume and/or distribute. It has been an emotional expereince for all.  Together we make a difference.

—Submitted by Karen Pharo

In the wake of Hurricane Ian – especially as several of its members had suffered from significant impacts from the storm – the Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) decided to pause its professional events and, instead, focus on outreach and support for those affected by the natural disaster.

On October 20, the chapter hosted “Standing Together, Stronger Together,” a member mixer for Hurricane Ian relief. The CWC-FPRA board selected three nonprofit beneficiaries: All Faiths Food Bank, The Florida Center for Early Childhood, and Senior Friendship Centers, all of which have been working to provide hurricane relief in the region.

During the event, chapter president Sheryl Vieira welcomed the group and then gave the representatives from the three benefiting nonprofits the opportunity to summarize conditions on the ground and how their organizations were working to help people. Chapter members were encouraged to donate to these organizations, resulting in $989 in charitable gifts to date.

Additionally, immediately after Hurricane Ian passed through, CWC-FPRA board members contributed $600 in gift cards as well as plastic storage boxes for treasured personal items to one South County member, whose home sustained catastrophic damage in the storm.

“The past month has been challenging for many and it looks like we’re facing a long road ahead,” said Vieira. “As an association, our members have been there for each other through it all. I’m astounded by the friendship, camaraderie, and support extended to our CWC-FPRA members affected by Hurricane Ian, and thankful to be a part of such a caring group.”

CWC-FPRA is grateful to the event host, Gecko’s Grill & Pub on Clark Road, as well as to the event sponsor, Caldwell Trust Company.

—Submitted by Sheryl Viera

During Hurricane Ian, Chantel, a volunteer with Easterseals at InStride Therapy, had to make a difficult decision of saving one of her horses or leaving him behind during the ravaging storm. Chantel’s husband and 2 dogs were transported to safety, but their 3 horses were another story. She felt safe leaving the two mini horses on an elevated carport, but there was no safe place to leave Breen. With the storm waters quickly rising in North Port, Chantel made a very difficult decision of risking her safety to ensure that Breen also survived the storm.

Trying to find the best way to get Breen to safety, Chantel contacted Patrick, the volunteer coordinator at Easterseals at InStride Therapy, with a plea to help save Breen. She knew there were horse trailers on the property, but she didn’t know if the organization had sustained any damages. Patrick quickly agreed to help. It took several hours to procure the trailer, but he also knew that he wouldn’t be able to get close to Breen’s home. It was then that Chantel, along with Breen, began a 6-mile journey walking through waist-high waters to meet Patrick at a safe location.

Downed trees and street closures impeding Patrick’s progress to reach Chantel and Breen, but they finally met and got an exhausted Breen into the dry enclosure of the trailer and to his destination at Easterseals at InStride Therapy in the middle of the night. Chantel was so grateful to Easterseals for providing a dry place for them both to rest for the night. The next day would be a new adventure for Breen.

Today, Breen’s harrowing rescue is a story to tell, but he now prefers to be a hero to children and adults with disabilities as a therapy horse at Easterseals at InStride Therapy.

—Submitted by Jill Gass

The employees of WiredIQ and our local services company Kangas Cloud all live in the area affected by Hurricane Ian.  They and lost power, and several had to evacuate, we lost the use of our office building on Main Street for 5 days after the storm. I also lost my own home and boat but fortunately was traveling out of state and could manage the business better from afar.  

As a telecom and IT company that has been servicing southwest Florida for 37 years I was very proud that our employees worked through the nights through the weekend following the storm. Those employees that evacuated managed communications for those that were still in town who worked from their vehicles and cell phones to restore internet and phones service to our business customers. Even when we would receive a request for help form a business  that was not already our customer we set them up with free cloud phone service that routed calls to an automated attendant and then to each employees cell phone if their office had no power or had been destroyed by the storm altogether. 

We set up cellular WiFi hotspots for companies that had power but no Internet so that they could function. Our employees worked tirelessly without complaint to restore as many businesses as we could while each of those employees were simultaneously dealing with their own difficult circumstances as a result of Hurricane Ian.  

I would like to nominate the staff of WiredIQ and our local Service company Kangas Cloud for their Nobel efforts and the difference that they made to many businesses in Southwest Florida affect by Hurricane Ian.

—Submitted by Joe Rhem

Denise Pacheco Cabrera is a Family Advocate for Children First, working alongside parents and caregivers to support their children and families in achieving self-sufficiency. Originally from Puerto Rico, Denise and her family made the difficult decision to move to the United States after the complete devastation of Hurricane Maria on their community. Because of their experience with this deadly category 5 storm, Denise and her husband, Brian, made another hard choice to evacuate to Orlando and ride out the impending category 4 Ian. 

While trying to distract their two young children from their fears ahead of the hurricane, the family decided to take a fishing trip with their beloved dog, Peluche, which translates to “Teddy.” Before anyone could react, their dog swallowed two fish hooks that were being prepared for bait. What started out as a fun family excursion quickly became a nightmare as the Pacheco Cabrera’s began calling clinic after clinic seeking help. Their only option was to find a way to pay $7,000 for surgery on the spot which they could not afford. Thankfully, Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch stepped up in a major way and saved Peluche’s life. They assisted the family with finding appropriate medical grants to apply for, which covered the cost of the surgery. 

At a time when no other clinic was willing or able to provide the lifesaving measures needed, Denise, Brian, and their two children were reunited with their beloved family pet after just a few hours. If it weren’t for the LWR-based clinic, this could have turned into another tragedy this family was not prepared for. We are deeply grateful to our “Hurricane Hero,” the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch for providing the care that Peluche needed, bringing a happy ending to a family who has overcome so much trial and tribulation. Thank you!

—Submitted by Children First

With its own established disaster response team, Rotary International District 6960 has been helping areas affected by Hurricane Ian in any way it can. “There is so much more to still be done,” said Susan Courter, the public image chair for Rotary District 6960. (District 6960 covers Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, Collier, Lee, Hendry and Glades counties.)

With clubs in each county, the district jumped into action with its disaster response team, which had disaster plans already in place before Hurricane Ian. “The first phase was to make sure everyone was safe,” said Mark Midyett, the district’s committee chair for the disaster response team.

The next phase included handing out or collecting food and supplies for those affected. Midyett said the team also helped find some housing options for people who were displaced. “Within the first few days, we were serving thousands of meals,” Courter said.

Following the immediate assistance for Rotarians and the community, the response team is now helping homeowners. “Right now across the entire district, we have six teams that are focused on trying to save homes before it is too late,” Midyett said. He called the operation “mucking and gutting,” which teams are removing wet debris and taking out dry wall up to around 4 feet.

Teams were also helping with cutting up trees, clearing debris, tarping roofs and helping residents salvage things in their homes. “North Port has been one of the big focuses,” Courter said. Midyett said he was in North Port the other day and a crew was helping a house that had 6 feet of water when the area flooded.

“Everything in the house was a total loss,” he said. For the hard-hit homes, he said, the response team will try to partner with Habitat For Humanity to help rebuild. Since the response efforts kicked into action, the district’s response team has received 17 semi-truckloads full of supplies and even two air supply deliveries.

—Submitted by Julie Poulin

Terri is a widow and recently disabled. She had never faced a natural disaster in this condition, and as Hurricane Ian approached, she was able to pay someone to put up boards on her house. In the aftermath, she was sitting in the dark house with no electricity, and feeling lost. Like so many others her only option to communicate with the outside world was occasionally through spotty messages or Facebook posts.  She was eventually able to connect with The Salvation Army Sarasota County through Facebook Messenger. The Emergency Disaster Team (comprised of Salvation Army officers, volunteers and staff deployed from Georgia) were able to get to her using an ATV. She received some general guidance and spiritual help on how to proceed. Emergency Disaster teams were already in the field providing serving food, providing water and provisions throughout the community.  A few days later Terri reached out to The Salvation Army once again, when she realized she could not get the boards off her windows. She just wanted some sunlight in this dark time.  A volunteer walked in to offer help at just the right time. The next day, Daniel, the local Salvation Army bandmaster, and his wife, Karen removed the boards and provided Terri with much needed fellowship. Terri was extremely grateful.  

—Submitted by Christine Varcoe

Siesta Village merchants jumped on board when I asked that we sell t-shirts (Stronger Than the Storm) at our businesses: Gidget’s Coastal Provisions, Daiquiri Deck, The Hub, Beach Bazaar, and Sungarden Cafe. We had an over-whelming response and were able to raise $18,000 dollars with a match by the Patterson Foundation!

—Submitted by Barbara Lancer

Bridge a Life is a local non-profit that supports foster and adoptive families primarily through church partnerships. Because of our position in the faith community, DCF (Dept of Children and Families) reached out to us post Hurricane Ian to ask if a church partner in each county we serve could host a Family Resource Center. The Family Resource Centers acted as hubs of support with social services, counseling, distribution of needed items, and more. We are thankful that First Christian Church of Arcadia and Sarasota Christian Church allowed full use of their campus so that DCF could quickly serve the community. Additionally, several church partners took it upon themselves to become major collection and distribution centers, assuring that those who had items to give could easily do so, and that those items made it to individuals with great need. We’re thankful for Grace Community Church, South Shore Community Church, and North Hillsborough Baptist Church for assuring that those with tangible needs had access. It is our pleasure to serve in a community that works together across agencies and platforms to support families who need it most.

—Submitted by Jodi Jester

Before, during and after Hurricane Ian, Nate Sweetman helped not only his family members, but those around him. After the storm, Nate and his friend drove all the way down to North Port to help those in need by removing debris. Here, he helped to clean up debris, helped remove drywall trash, and pack up belongings that were salvageable at a co-workers home.

—Submitted by Kaylea​ Schule