Image courtesy Gulf Coast Community Foundation

I send my heartfelt thoughts to everyone affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The overwhelming anxiety and uncertainty that comes with such devastating back-to-back storms can be hard to process fully. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation Board, team, and I stand with you as we begin the road to recovery. 

It is heartwarming to see our community come together as a region to support each other through the revitalization process. We are a resilient and strong community. By sharing resources, keeping our spirits high, and supporting our neighbors, we will unify and recover.

Gulf Coast proactively prepares for disasters like Hurricanes Milton and Helene so we can respond rapidly to our communities’ immediate needs. Our Rapid Response Fund was activated after Hurricane Helene ravaged the barrier islands, leaving many food and beverage workers without employment. Gulf Coast partnered with the Southern Smoke Foundation to provide financial assistance to these workers, allowing them time to secure new positions or for their places of employment to reopen. As Milton approached our coastline, the Gulf Coast Board of Directors called an emergency meeting to authorize additional funding to provide life-sustaining support to those whose lives and homes would become upended by Milton. 

Our team is working with local organizations to gather boots-on-the-ground intelligence, which informs the rapid deployment of these funds to the areas of greatest need. Our funding model allows our team the flexibility necessary to respond to each disaster's unique circumstances.

In the week following Hurricane Milton, Gulf Coast has deployed over $500,000 to local nonprofits that are in the trenches with those impacted, tarping roofs, chopping downed trees, distributing food and water, and securing temporary shelter. We’ve also funded mental health services and emergency service navigators to assist residents in applying for disaster aid, which can often be a time-consuming and complicated process. 

Collaboration is often the key to success when communities tackle significant challenges. We learned of an inspiring collaboration between two nonprofit partners, Second Heart Homes and Project 180. Second Heart Homes provides housing with supportive services for unhoused individuals experiencing mental illness, and Project 180 supports formally incarcerated men in re-entering society successfully through recovery support, assistance with food, clothing and transportation, introductions to Second Chance employers, leadership training, volunteer opportunities, and a new, law-abiding social network. 

When Project 180 learned about the damage at several Second Heart Homes properties, they arrived with the tools and manpower needed to remove fallen trees, clear debris, and make the properties safe for the residents to return. This wasn’t required or even asked of them — they saw a need and had the skills necessary to help. To me, this embodies the true spirit of community and highlights what makes our community such a remarkable place to call home. Friends and neighbors rally together regardless of individual circumstances. 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our rapid response efforts. Our work would not be possible without your incredible support. 

The immense generosity we’ve witnessed is truly inspiring. The strength of neighbors coming together in the wake of disaster is undeniable. Never underestimate the power of community. 

Phillip P. Lanham is President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. 

Image courtesy Gulf Coast Community Foundation