How you can help those affected by Hurricane Michael NOW!

Hurricane Michael hurled into the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, October 10th, devastating the communities that lie in its path all the way from the Gulf coast of Florida to the East coast of the United States. The Category 4 storm, just 2 mph shy of reaching Cat 5 status, is one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the United States in since Hurricane Andrew in ’92, brought heavy winds, rain, and flooding to the Emerald Coast, as well as Georgia, Virginia, and the Carolinas, which are still recovering from Hurricane Florence.

Here’s how you can help from near or far:

Please be sure to vet organizations that you give to to ensure your donation will help make an impact

  • Airbnb: Hosts in the hurricane-affected region have signed up to house those in need, including relief workers in the area to help rebuild. Available homes are marked on a map and are free to relief workers and those displaced by the storm from Oct. 8 to Oct. 29. Want to help host hurricane evacuees? Sign up here.
  • Facebook: Facebook is matching $1 million in donations made to Save the Children, which is responding to the needs of children and families in affected areas. All donations made on the crisis page or through the Donate Button on the top of News Feed are eligible.
  • GoFundMe: GoFundMe has put together a list of verified campaigns here. They have also set up a general relief fund to directly help those affected by Hurricane Michael.
  • American Red Cross: You can make donations for victims of Hurricane Michael by visiting the Red Cross website or just texting the word MICHEAL to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
  • Feeding the Gulf Coast: If you’re local, Feeding the Gulf is looking for volunteers to help make sure families in affected areas have plenty of food. They are working in collaboration with Feeding America, Feeding Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), and other disaster responders to distribute food in areas affected by Hurricane Michael. If you’re not local, make a monetary donation here.
  • World Vision is shipping supplies including food and hygiene kits, clean water, blankets, diapers and other personal care items to around 3,000 of the most vulnerable people impacted by the hurricane. Donate to these efforts here.
  • Florida Urgent Rescue: This Jacksonville, Florida, animal rescue group took in dogs from shelters in Hurricane Michael’s path in partnership with Delta Airlines and Paws Humane Society. To make a donation online, click here.
  • Global Giving: The website has established a Hurricane Michael Relief Fund to support local emergency medical workers, providing food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter to the affected communities.
  • Habitat for Humanity: The organization that partners with future homeowners to build affordable housing said on its website that it is accepting donations that will be used to respond to families affected by Hurricane Michael “until Habitat for Humanity’s role in meeting the need is met.” Donations can be made online here.
  • International Medical Corps: This groups says it has sent teams of doctors and nurses to Florida at the request of the state’s Department of Health. Help them in their mission by donating here.
  • One Blood: Have a pint to spare? This nonprofit, which serves Florida and most of the Southeast, is encouraging people to donate blood to help in disaster response. Details here.
  • Florida Disaster Fund: The state is accepting donations to this fund activated by Gov. Rick Scott when Hurricane Michael made landfall. It’s set up to assist in the response to and recovery from emergency or disaster. Text the word DISASTER to 20222 to make a $10 donation or Donate here. Volunteer Florida, the organization that administers the fund, is also looking for volunteers. 
  • Americares: Americares is working with partners in the area and deploying an emergency team to provide immediate support for healthcare. Donations are accepted online.
  • DonorsChoose.org: This charity has created a recovery fund to directly support teachers in classrooms damaged by Michael. Contributions will help teachers support their students and restock classrooms with materials like books, furniture, classroom supplies, and technology.
  • Samaritan’s Purse has mobilized staff and equipment to provide emergency aid to victims in south Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Information about how to volunteer and/or donate is here.
  • Humane Society Naples: This no-kill Florida shelter has been sending out rescue teams to towns affected by the hurricane to save any animals in need. You can donate here to support their efforts.
  • The American Kidney Fund: This organization helps to make sure that one disaster doesn’t lead to another. They help fund transportation expenses to dialysis treatment, replace lost medications, and can help with temporary housing. Donate here.
  • Georgia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. The Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency is directing donations to a number of member organizations, from the Atlanta Community Food Bank to the Salvation Army and the United Way of Coastal Georgia. Find the full list here.
  • Big Cat Rescue, a refuge for wild cats near Panama City, Florida, sustained $100,000 worth of damages that will take an estimated six months to repair. Donate here.

If you would like to donate or volunteer along the Florida Panhandle for Hurricane Michael relief efforts, here is a list of just SOME of the businesses and charities that are collecting items:

To volunteer with the Hurricane Michael recovery efforts, visit volunteerflorida.org and fill out the volunteer form, and/or sign up at crowdrelief.net as a volunteer. 

Walton County: Walton County has three official drop off locations for hurricane relief items, please drop them off during normal business hours at one of the following locations:

    • DeFuniak Springs: Southern Choice Properties (917 US HWY 331 S), M-F 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
    • DeFuniak Springs: Matrix COC (37 State Highway 83), M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
    • Santa Rosa Beach: Walton Area Chamber Office (63 S. Centre Trail Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459), M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Boys & Girls Club: The Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast is taking donations of school supplies, snacks, water, non-perishable foods and athletic supplies. The donation drop-off site is at the South Walton Coys & Girls Club located at 427 Greenway Trail in Santa Rosa Beach. For more information visit http://www.emeraldcoastbgc.org.

Feeding The Gulf Coast: Feeding The Gulf Coast, based out of Milton, Florida is partnering with Feeding America, Feeding Florida, Bay County Emergency Management and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to distribute food and water in areas affected by Hurricane Michael. Feeding the Gulf Coast is asking for volunteers and monetary donations to tackle upcoming needs. To find out how you can help those affected by Hurricane Michael, please visit : www.feedingthegulfcoast.org.

YOLO Miramar Beach: YOLO Board & Beach located in Miramar Beach is accepting supply donations for Hurricane Michael relief at their store at 11610 U.S. Highway 98 West in Miramar Beach. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/yoloboardandbeach/ or call 850-424-6852.

Destin Fire Station: The Destin Fire Station is now accepting donations to support those impacted my Hurricane Michael and has a detailed description of needs online. From hygiene kits and school supplies to food and cleaning supplies, all items can be dropped off at the main fire station at 848 Airport Road in Destin from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/DestinFireRescue

Fort Walton Beach Library: The Fort Walton Beach Library is partnering with Coastal Community Cleanup to collect donations for Hurricane Michael relief to Bay County. Donations of toiletries, diapers, new underwear and socks, first aid items, cleaning supplies, pillows, blankets, box fans, dust masks and utility gloves are being accepted at the front desk. Fort Walton Beach Library is located at 185 Miracle Strip Parkway SE in Fort Walton Beach. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/fortwaltonbeachpubliclibrary/ or call 850-833-9590.

SpringHill Suites Navarre Beach: SpringHill Suites in Navarre Beach is collecting items 24 hours a day including cleaning supplies, baby necessities, hygiene kits, non-perishable food items, pet supplies and bottled water. SprinHill Suites Navarre Beach is located at 8375 Gulf Blvd. Navarre. The donations can be taken to the fist floor lobby front desk. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/SpringhillSuitesNavarreBeach/.

The Salvation Army will be assisting with the collection and transportation efforts at these official drop off locations.

We will continually update this page as donation centers and volunteer opportunities arise. 

#PanhandleStrong #FloridaStrong #850Strong #EmeraldCoastStrong

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