We Will Feed 1,000 Kids this year and beyond! @islandtoislandbrewery and @sxmstronger has partnered on the mission to make #sxmSTRONGER! Support the coalition of St. Martin/St. Maarten people coming together tirelessly to bring our home back to life then replicate our efforts for other Caribbean Islands. _ Come experience a taste of the Caribbean with a tour and tasting of juices, smoothies, kombucha and ciders made from Caribbean traditions November 11th St.Martin/St.Maarten Day. _ We ask for donations to fund 10+ Families, ship barrels of supplies, and fill 10 barrel with water, dried foods, cleaning supplies, dignity and hygienic products. _ Come fill the barrels and experience a "Taste of The Caribbean" _ #tastingtable #islandtoisland #IrmaRecovery #juice #sxmstronger #irma #maria #love #unity #StMaarten #disasterrelief #rebuild #islands #hurricaneirma #together #hurricanemaria #sxm #family #princessjulianaairport #support #sponsor #sponsorship #SaintMartin #caribbeanpeople #Caribbean #littlecaribbean #SXMStrong #island #tours
After Irma: On the Ground in Florida with National Service Members
By Chester Spellman, Director of AmeriCorps
Recently, I traveled to Southwest Florida to meet with AmeriCorps members supporting Hurricane Irma recovery efforts. This was my first trip as Director of AmeriCorps.
I was joined by fellow Floridian and Director of Senior Corps, Debbie Cox Roush and Acting NCCC Director (and AmeriCorps alum!) Gina Cross. We visited AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team members from the Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa and the Washington Conservation Corps. We also visited AmeriCorps NCCC and FEMA Corps members. To date, more than 900 AmeriCorps members have responded across the state of Florida.
Here are five observations from the field:
1. I was immediately struck by the dedication and passion of our AmeriCorps members. They have boundless energy and are committed to helping Florida recover. In spite of working twelve hour days, they are still full of spirit and enthusiasm at the end of the day.
2. AmeriCorps service is not only an investment in communities, but in the life of the member. They learn valuable skills and develop an ethos of service that will follow them for their entire lives. AmeriCorps service also gives members confidence that will allow them to do great things for America. As one member told my colleague, Debbie, "After my service year, I can go on and do anything."
3. The service provided by these members is very valuable to communities and it is not easy work. AmeriCorps members in Southwest Florida are clearing debris, mucking and gutting homes, placing tarps on damaged roofs, and more. This is important work that is essential to the recovery process after a disaster like Hurricane Irma.
4. I observed how thankful individual homeowners and the community at-large are to have AmeriCorps members serving in their community. During last week’s trip I observed AmeriCorps members helping a homeowner remove a large tree that fell on his fence. I had the chance to meet this homeowner. He was extremely thankful and credited AmeriCorps members for doing a task that as he said, "I would never be able to do on my own."
5. Finally, national service plays a key role in helping communities respond to and recover from disasters. AmeriCorps members have helped hundreds of homeowners through damage assessments, roof repairs, hazardous tree removal, and wellness checks and have cleared more than 6,400 cubic yards of debris. (That’s 355 dump trucks!)
AmeriCorps members are making a difference in communities across America each and every day, but there is rarely a time when the impact of national service is more visible than during times of disaster. I am proud of the work that these national service members are doing in Florida in response to Hurricane Irma. It was an honor to have the opportunity to meet them and see firsthand the impact of their service.
#Repost @willowhollow ・・・ A big thank you to @hsnaples for donating a truckload of dog food to the community of Immokalee, one of our county's hardest hit areas from Hurricane Irma. So much heaviness in the world out there right now, but a reminder that there are always those that lend a hand or paw to those in need. ❤️🐶😺 #HSNGivesBack #PetsInNeed #NaplesFlorida #SWFL #CollierCounty #Florida #AnimalShelter #IrmaRecovery (at Humane Society Naples)
Yesterday, The #HumaneSocietyNaples transferred in 16 stray and lost dogs as well as owner surrenders from @collierdas to help reduce stress on overcapacity. #SheltersHelpingShelters #Rescue #IrmaRecovery #DogsOfInstagram #NaplesFlorida #SWFL #AdoptDontShop (at Collier Domestic Animal Services)
If you are looking for places to donate to help Puerto Rico please consider donating to these places! #IrmaRecovery #MariaHurricane #latinxinpublishing #mariapr
