Governor Rick Scott Announces Disaster Fund for Floridians Impacted by Last Week’s Record Flooding

In the wake of last week’s severe storms and record flooding in the Florida Panhandle, Governor Rick Scott announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund while touring the afflicted areas today, May 8, 2014.

Administered by the Volunteer Florida Foundation, the Florida Disaster Fund helps Floridians who have been impacted by disasters by providing a mechanism for businesses and individuals who seek to support critical local recovery efforts.  In a disaster, donations offered through the Florida Disaster Fund are subgranted to eligible disaster relief organizations.  Eligible grant applicants include long-term recovery organizations and other non-profits, both faith-based and secular.  

“Last week I saw first-hand the devastation that recent flooding has left behind in Florida’s Panhandle,” Governor Scott said.  Floridians and businesses have already stepped up to help their neighbors, and activating the Florida Disaster Fund is the next step in the ongoing recovery efforts.  Through the Florida Disaster Fund, we can leverage donations for long-term assistance.  This week we also learned that our major disaster declaration for Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties was approved, which will further help our communities recover and succeed.”

In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Volunteer Florida Foundation supports response and recovery activities through the Florida Disaster Fund.

“We thank Governor Scott for his support of the local organizations that serve families and individuals impacted by the flooding,” said Chester Spellman, Executive Director of the Volunteer Florida Foundation.  “Our goal is to ensure that volunteers and donations are supported in the most effective and helpful way, and activating the Florida Disaster Fund is one of the best ways to do that.”

To make a contribution to help flood victims through the Florida Disaster Fund, please visit http://www.volunteerflorida.org/emergency-management/florida-disaster-fund/.

In addition to the Florida Disaster Fund, Governor Scott encourages individuals to donate to the established disaster relief organizations of their choice.

 

Volunteer Florida, the Governor’s Commission on Community Service (“Commission”), was established in 1994 by the Florida Legislature to administer grants under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993.  The Commission grants funds to Florida AmeriCorps and National Service programs; coordinates volunteers and donations in a disaster; and inspires all Floridians to serve their communities.  For more information, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org.

The Volunteer Florida Foundation is a non-profit charity established, organized and operated exclusively as a direct support organization to assist the Florida Commission on Community Service, Volunteer Florida.  The Foundation raises funds to aid the Commission in accomplishing its goals of meeting important human needs in Florida.  The Foundation’s activities are guided by a voluntary Board of Directors.

 

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