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Many Realtors donate money but many others want to get involved, removing debris and actively helping fellow Floridians. Is that you? Here\u2019s where to start.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Florida Realtors\u00ae<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019 leadership team and staff participated in a statewide caucus Wednesday with a simple goal: To find out how individual Realtors\u00ae<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and groups can help the Floridians suffering after the devastation left in Hurricane Ian\u2019s wake.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While many local groups are organizing cleanup, two organizations have created larger-scale operations to coordinate volunteer efforts: Samaritan\u2019s Purse and Crisis Cleanup.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Samaritan\u2019s Purse (spvolunteer.org<\/a>) coordinates specific cleanup projects by city, and the requirements to join in can vary by project. In response to Hurricane Ian, Samaritan\u2019s Purse has projects based in three Florida metros: Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and Englewood.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSamaritan\u2019s Purse is a safe and effective service to help our communities clean up \u2013 it is worth every second to help them recover from this devasting storm,\u201d says Florida Realtors President-Elect Mike McGraw.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The website offers details on each project, but in all cases, volunteers must provide their own transportation to the worksite, but Samaritan\u2019s Purse provides meals and sleeping quarters there.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n According to the website, \u201cVolunteers need to bring twin size air mattress or cot, linens\/sleeping bag, pillow, towels and personal hygiene items. Tools will be provided, and volunteers are welcome to bring their own tool belts and small hand tools. Volunteers should dress in long pants and sturdy boots.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Samaritan\u2019s Purse is a nondenominational Christian organization in operation since 1970.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Direct link to Good Samaritan projects in Southwest Florida<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Homeowners who need post-storm help can get Samaritan\u2019s Purse help by calling:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Crisis Cleanup<\/a> calls itself a \u201ccollaborative disaster workorder management platform that improves coordination, reduces duplication of efforts, improves efficiency, and improves volunteers\u2019 experience.\u201d It \u201chelps with the \u20184Cs\u2019 of disaster recovery: Communication, Coordination, Collaboration and Cooperation, (as well as the fifth silent \u2018C\u2019, Competition).\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Volunteers can register on the Crisis Cleanup website<\/a>. The project is a weekends-only event, every Saturday and Sunday in October. The campsite opens on Friday, service work begins Saturday morning at sunrise and runs until Sunday until 6 p.m. Volunteers need to be at least 14 years old.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n One designated crew chief should check into the command center on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Individual volunteers will be paired with other volunteers to form teams.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Crisis Cleanup Hotline for Hurricane Ian: (800) 451-1954<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n FAQs from Crisis Cleanup<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What work is involved? T<\/span><\/span>he work orders have come in from private citizens needing relief from the property damage caused by the hurricane. The work is generally debris removal, tarping roofs, removing trees or mucking out flooded houses \u2013 a service that is free to the recipients. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n How do I register <\/a>to volunteer? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Brad Westover: (561) 644-1109 or bpwestover@gmail.com<\/a><\/span><\/span> Location (campground):<\/span><\/span> Crew Chiefs go to:<\/span><\/span> Supplies to bring<\/strong>: Food, water, camping gear, work clothes and toiletries. The campsite has bathrooms and showers, but volunteers may book hotel rooms. RVs are also welcome, but there are no water or electric hookups.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Supplies provided<\/strong>: The command center has any gear needed to complete work orders \u2013 chainsaws, sleds, gloves, masks, helmets, crow bars, t-shirts, blue tarps, hammers, nails, duct tape, etc.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n How do \u201cteams\u201d work?<\/strong> Upon arrival, a crew chief checks into the Command Center to receive specific instructions and gather supplies, then meets up with their crew. Crew members take on roles, such as safety director, hydration monitor, maps co-pilot, recorder, equipment coordinator, emotional\/spiritual support. Everyone has a role and everyone contributes. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: By definition, the work is rigorous and potentially dangerous. Potential risks include dehydration, contaminated flood water, mold, downed power lines, fire ants, mosquitos, sharp metal objects, hazardous debris, stress, injury, etc. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Can I help from home?<\/strong> Crisiscleanup.org volunteers take incoming phone calls from homeowners seeking help. If interested, email Robyn Fields at RobynFields5@aol.com<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n More questions? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Email\/Text Kent Nelson \u2013 veteransrealty@gmail.com<\/a> 786-299-2733<\/span><\/span> Other Command Centers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ft. Myers.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Sarasota<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Naples<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 1928 Chiquita Blvd S\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1303 Forrest Nelson Blvd\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4935 23rd Ct SW<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Cape Coral, FL 33991\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Port Charlotte, FL 33952\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Naples, FL 34116<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a9 2022 Florida Realtors\u00ae<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\nSamaritan\u2019s Purse<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Crisis Cleanup<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Lezlie Westover: (561) 644-8998 or lgwestover@gmail.com<\/a><\/span><\/span>
Enrique Garcia: (954) 394 3171 or enrriquegarciaa@yahoo.com<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Lee County Sports Complex<\/span><\/span>
14100 6 mile Cypress Parkway<\/span><\/span>
Fort Myers, FL 33912<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Command Center:<\/span><\/span>
1928 Chiquita Blvd S.<\/span><\/span>
Cape Coral, FL 33991<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Email\/Text Brad Westover \u2013 bpwestover@gmail.com<\/a> 561-644-1109<\/span><\/span>
Email\/Text Kurt Scherer \u2013\u00a0 kscherer5@gmail.com<\/a> 352-219-1317<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n