SWFL Emergency Fund

united way & the collaboratory SWFL EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND

by sarah owen and jeannine joy

Hurricane Ian has devastated Southwest Florida and our close-knit community. We are just beginning to understand the longterm impacts this storm will have on residents, our tourist economy, and our infrastructure. Many Southwest Floridians have lost everything. Some entered shelters with only the clothes on their back, while others are mourning the loss of loved ones. There are people in our region and the surrounding areas without food, water, medication, and a place to call home.

Thankfully, there are individuals and organizations ready to help rebuild lives, homes, and hope. We’re inspired by the countless people inside our community and those who have come from afar to reach out and ask, “How can I help?” A coordinated partnership is key to providing the right resources and getting them into the right hands. Immediately following the storm, United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties (United Way LHG) and the Collaboratory partnered to launch the SWFL Emergency Relief Fund to distribute 100% of funds raised to nonprofits on the frontlines who can directly help individuals greatly affected by Hurricane Ian. For example, hundreds of thousands of dollars of gift cards have been deployed through non-profits to local Floridians who lost everything. In addition to food and water, some people need basic necessities like shoes, hygiene products, and clothing. This level of support is coming from individuals and organizations of all sizes and backgrounds to effectively have a positive impact on those most in need. This is not simply one or two big donors. It’s people and companies from across not only our community, but all fifty states, and in some cases, across the world. With such an overwhelming response, our teams at Collaboratory and United Way are incredibly grateful for what’s been contributed so far. The needs are greater than you can imagine, and resources are limited.

The priority right now is short-term, immediate needs. We are tirelessly focused on procuring monetary donations that stay right here in Southwest Florida so we can provide direct support to our neighbors including Pine Island, Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, and the other devastated areas across our region’s coastal and inland communities.

Through the partnership with Collaboratory, United Way LHG has been able to focus on response and relief efforts, including managing the 2-1-1 Crisis Helpline and supporting the 24/7 work at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Concurrently, Collaboratory raises the relief funds and handles the back-end donation logistics so that United Way can focus on immediate deployment of financial resources through our network of community partners. While so many have reached out to give tangible donations of clothing and personal items, United Way encourages monetary contributions at this time to avoid creating is what we call the ‘Second Disaster’. Dollars can be turned around faster than things. Things take a lot of time, effort, and energy to distribute. For the immediate need, if we can provide survivors the ability to go out and purchase necessities that work for them, it offers a sense of dignity and allows them to purchase specifically what they need and have space for. Many families are displaced from their homes and just getting by with alternate living arrangements and limited space. . . Once the community stabilizes, tangible donations will be an integral part of the community’s long-term recovery. It is going to be a long road, and although funds are coming in and going immediately to those in need, we’re going to have to keep at it for a long time. If you’d like to support the SWFL Emergency Relief Fund, please visit Collaboratory.org to make your tax-deductible donation today.

Sarah Owen, president & CEO of Collaboratory, leads a passionate and diverse team of possibility makers committed to coordinating the solving of all the social problems in Southwest Florida on a daring 18-year deadline.

Jeannine Joy is President and CEO of United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades. Over her 27-year tenure, Jeannine has helped raise and distribute over $164 million and has worked with hundreds of community leaders and volunteers.