divider

Blog

separator

Community

Heroes of Tampa Bay

/ 0 Comments /

How Our Community Stepped Up after Hurricane Ian

We always knew that the kindness and generosity of Tampa Bay were amazing, but boy were we reminded of this in the aftermath of the deadly Hurricane Ian. Charities, rescue workers, utility workers, and ordinary people were out in droves to help in whatever way they could. 

Not all heroes wear capes, right?

We blogged recently about the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian here in Florida, and we are all still reeling. Yet the kindness of strangers is a powerful thing. Today, we’re celebrating the heroes of Tampa Bay: the community that pulled together, the volunteers, and the people we’re proud to call neighbors.

Those who donated

The Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, donated $1 million towards the disaster relief efforts. Tom Brady also made a generous donation to the Florida Disaster Fund and helped deliver aid. 

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank all of our clients and supporters for dropping off essential items at our St. Pete office. This supply of water, non-perishable food, toiletries, propane, baby items, and pet food meant the world to those affected. Of course, we couldn’t have done this without our dedicated team who rolled up their sleeves to deliver these items in weekly trips south where they were desperately needed. Big thanks to Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe, CellarMasters Wine Bar and Bottle Shop, and BNI Referral Masters for aiding our efforts. 

Those who helped others to evacuate

To the many volunteers and charity workers who provided shelter, and those who helped people to reach these safe zones, thank you. 

We loved reading about the boat captains and the local people who volunteered to help those on Pine Island, offering free rides to anyone wanting to leave the island.

Patricia Trefry, Largo, is 85, uses a wheelchair, and cannot walk. She needed help to evacuate her mobile home park and told the Tampa Bay Times, “As Hurricane Ian approached, I got a call that I would be picked up. The school bus came, and volunteers helped with my supplies, reassuring me I would be okay. We picked up other senior citizens and went to Dunedin Highlander Middle School. It’s not a hotel, but you adjust because you are safe. God bless all the caring volunteers and an evacuation system that works.”

Those who fed others

Feeding America, worked alongside FEMA and other charities to assist in the ongoing response to Hurricane Ian. The local team at Feeding Tampa Bay worked non-stop to provide meals. Feeding Tampa Bay President and CEO Thomas Mantz saw volunteers turn up in record numbers and stated “whenever there’s a crisis, people want to help step in and get involved.” 

The work of BayCare Public Food Distribution, Volunteer Florida, Salvation Army, Red Cross Disaster Relief, 211 Tampa Bay Cares, Buy Farm Food, Ian Response Fund, and Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger must also be applauded. 

Sunshine after the storm

Hurricane season 2022 is not quite over, but we hope that you stay safe and that the worst is behind us. 

At Jenkins Law PL, we know that many have lost their homes due to Hurricane Ian, or suffered personal injury or water damage caused by flooding. We understand the worry and devastation. 

Sadly, we also know that the insurance companies are not always cooperative, playing the ‘delaying, underpaying, or denying claims game’. Enough, already.

If you have been affected by Hurricane Ian and are trying to get back on your feet, you need and deserve compensation from your Insurance company.  

Our community is important to all of us. Call us if you need a strong, devoted, experienced insurance claim lawyer in Florida to take up the fight.

separator