Sarasota Man Delivers $30K In Supplies To Battered Pine Island

SARASOTA, FL — A Sarasota man who has already delivered more than $30,000 in supplies to the Hurricane Ian-ravaged Pine Island area is asking for the public's help to purchase more items for the people who live there.

Richard Dear has loaded up his boat and delivered everything from toiletries and gas to generators and tarps, according to a FOX 13 report. So far, every supply has been donated, Dear told the television station.

Ian made landfall in Florida on Sept. 28. It was among the strongest hurricanes to hit the United States, flooding homes on the state's east and west coasts and knocking out electricity to more than 2.5 million Florida homes and businesses.

Ian caused catastrophic damage in Fort Myers and nearby areas, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power and many cut off from aid and first responders.

Access to Pine Island was restored this week when crews installed a temporary bridge in just three days. Meanwhile, residents are just beginning to pick up the pieces.

John Orbanus' trailer park sustained significant damage, he told NPR. Some homes have no roofs, others were completely destroyed. Three neighbors are now staying with Orbanus.

Lenny Sattani returned to his Matlacha home to pack up whatever he could salvage. The last time he saw his house, it was flooded with five feet of storm surge, according to NPR.

These are just two residents possibly benefitting from Dear's efforts to transport supplies to the battered area.

"To see such historical buildings and the culture wiped away in a moment is absolutely heartbreaking," Dear told FOX 13.

Dear also started a GoFundMe page to raise money for his relief efforts. Dear, who is working with a team of volunteers, said all donated funds will go directly toward the purchase of supplies.

"Thank you for your generous donations that makes this effort possible," Dear wrote in an update.

Donate to Dear's efforts at GoFundMe.com.

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