Hurricane Matthew: How to Help Floridians Recover

TALLAHASSEE, FL — People looking for a way to help Floridians in the wake of Hurricane Matthew’s destruction have an option courtesy of the state. Gov. Rick Scott announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund on Monday.

The Florida Disaster Fund is the Sunshine State’s official private fund that was established to help communities respond and recover in time of emergency. The fund is a partnership between the public and private sectors and is overseen by the Volunteer Florida Foundation. With no overhead, 100 percent of the money raised goes to those in need, according to the state.

“Many families and businesses were impacted by Hurricane Matthew, and we are fully committed to ensuring every resource is available to help them,” Scott said in a Monday statement. “Activating the Florida Disaster Fund will give individuals across the country the opportunity to help those in need as we begin the recovery process following this storm. I continue to encourage all Floridians to look out for each other and work together to help our beautiful communities rebuild.”

Money collected by the fund is allocated to support disaster relief organizations that are working to help with response and recovery.

To help out, people can make donations by credit card via the www.floridadisasterfund.org website. Checks with “Florida Disaster Fund” written in the memo line may also be mailed to:

Volunteer Florida Foundation

Attention: Florida Disaster Fund

3800 Esplanade Way, Suite 180

Tallahassee, FL 32311

To find out more about the fund, visit it online at www.floridadisasterfund.org.

The fund was also activated in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting in June that left 50 people dead and 53 injured.

Damage assessments are still coming in from the east coast following Florida’s run-in with Category 3 Hurricane Matthew on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Facebook page