For Immediate Release, 1-27-05
Contact: Fonda Anderson
727/821-2056
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Hurricane Relief Fund managers announced today a $1 million in-kind donation from Goodwill Industries of Florida to provide hurricane survivors with needed clothing and household items as recovery continues. The Fund was established by Governor Jeb Bush to assist Florida’s hurricane survivors with needs not met by federal, state, and insurance assistance. It is managed by nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation.
“As we join together in the rebuild effort, it is evident that four walls and a roof do not complete a home,” said Liza McFadden, president of Volunteer Florida Foundation, which manages the Fund. “Goodwill’s tremendous donation will help hurricane survivors replace the contents of their homes and help them get their lives back on track.”
Donations will be given through vouchers administered by qualifying nonprofits, which must apply for the vouchers through the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund. Nonprofits that are actively engaged in disaster relief efforts and have an established network of case managers are encouraged to apply to serve as agents for Floridians in need. Deadline for application by nonprofits is March 17, 2005. Applications are available on www.FLAHurricaneFund.org, All Floridians are encouraged to donate clothing, furniture and household items to their local Goodwill stores. In addition to receiving tax-deduction benefits, Floridians will find comfort in knowing they are helping neighbors in need.
“Although we are not a relief organization, Florida is our home and Floridians are our neighbors,” said Fred Shelfer, who serves as the president of the Florida association of the 10 regional Goodwill operations statewide, as well as president of the Tallahassee region. “Goodwill Industries is a job training organization that uses the sale of donated goods to help fund our training programs. All of our area CEO’s agreed to make our collection, distribution system, and our stores available to help hurricane survivors through in-kind donations. We are honored to help.”
To date, the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund has received just over $19 million in monetary donations. Allocations from the Fund are based on FEMA filings, with the hardest hit counties during the 2004 hurricane season receiving the greatest percentage of funds. Allocations from the Fund are being made in phases to help communities, many hit multiple times, assess unmet needs on an ongoing basis as restoration progresses. All donations to the Fund are tax-deductible. For more information, or to donate, go to www.FLAHurricaneFund.org, or call 1-800-825-3786. |
