ANNA MARIA ISLAND – When Hurricane Helene swept past the Gulf coast, it brought several feet of storm surge that left large amounts of debris, standing water and piles of sand across the Island. A group of Anna Maria Island residents and business owners, led by Realtor Darcie Duncan, has joined forces to help locals affected by the storm.
The group, Anna Maria Island Hurricane Helene Relief, is a place for people to post photos and videos, notify neighbors of available help in the area and organize relief efforts. Started on Sept. 27, the group had more than 5,600 members in less than 48 hours, all sharing resources, updates, information and finding ways to help the community begin the long road to recovery.
Companies and city leaders are invited to post information for community members along with anyone who has photos, videos or supplies to share.
Duncan said she knew watching Helene come in that the Island community would need to mobilize quickly to begin recovery.
“It’s so overwhelming, the amount of help and support people have offered,” she said. As soon as the sun came up after the storm passed, Duncan said people were contacting her to find out how they could help and dropping off supplies by boat at her dock for Island residents.
The group also is organizing a supply drive to gather food, cleaning supplies, clothing, water, hygiene supplies and other necessary items.
The Center of Anna Maria Island is serving as a distribution point for all the supplies. The Manatee Community Foundation is a place for anyone who wants to donate financially to relief efforts. All funds collected will go directly to meet the needs of the Anna Maria Island community.
With power to The Center restored, staff has opened the doors to the community to allow people to come charge their phones or devices, take a break from the heat and access a working restroom. Duncan and The Center’s staff are working to get volunteer teams organized to help community members clean up their homes and businesses as well as distribute supplies.
Meals on Wheels of Manatee County is serving as a drop off location for the supplies coming out to the Island. Duncan said that with the exponential growth of the group and the large amount of resources being donated, it’s been necessary to divert the organization of supply drives and financial donations to larger organizations to make sure that supplies and funding get to where they’re needed the most in the Island community, such as Bradenton Beach, which is still inaccessible by vehicle.
Duncan said supplies are available at The Center for Island residents and business owners, from cleaning supplies to shovels and even hugs. Supplies that are still needed include underwear, clothing and socks. Join at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1982057658882341
