Government and Politics
September 30, 2022
From: Florida Governor Ron DeSantisThe Florida Disaster Fund Has Received More Than $10 million in Donations
TALLAHASSEE, FL. — On Sep 29th, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that within hours of activating, the Florida Disaster Fund has received over $10 million in donations to support communities impacted by Hurricane Ian. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
"We are very appreciative and thankful for the outpouring of support. Raising more than $10 million dollars in one day to The Florida Disaster Fund demonstrates the kindness and compassion from people across this state and nation,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “These private sector contributions will be deployed quickly and effectively to meet the immediate needs of those most impacted by the storm. We cannot thank people enough for their generosity."
“We are grateful to First Lady Casey DeSantis for her continued leadership and to all who have contributed to the Florida Disaster Fund," said CEO of Volunteer Florida Josie Tamayo. "The amount of donations received is a true testament to the resiliency of Florida. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.”
Major donations from companies across the state and the nation include:
o Walmart ($1,500,000)
o Amazon ($1,000,000)
o Centene Charitable Foundation ($1,000,000)
o Ian MacKechnie ($1,000,000)
o Florida Blue ($1,000,000)
o Lennar ($1,000,000)
o Boeing ($750,000)
o Publix ($500,000)
o TECO ($500,000)
o Simply Healthcare ($350,000)
o AirBnb ($250,000)
o Wells Fargo ($250,000)
o Verizon ($125,000)
o CVS ($100,000)
o Duke Energy ($100,000)
o Goldman Sachs ($100,000)
o Rumble ($100,000)
o Florida Power and Light ($50,000)
o National Christian Foundation ($50,000)
o PGA Tour ($25,000)
o Horne ($25,000)
The Florida Disaster Fund and Volunteer Florida are working with the Department of Children and Families and Sunshine Health through the First Lady's Hope Florida Initiative to open Family Resource Support Centers with one-on-one support for impacted families, including Hope Navigators and counseling resources on site for those who are struggling and need help. The first resource centers will open in Tampa and New Port Richey, but anyone who needs help can call the Hope Line at 850-300-HOPE.
Additionally, private sector partners from across the state and the nation are providing exemplary assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Ian. Volunteer Florida, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Paypal’s Braintree have waived their fees so that every dollar donated to the Florida Disaster Fund goes directly to helping victims. Updates on closures, inventory supply, and supply chain information are consistently being updated at FloridaDisaster.Biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates.
“The DeSantis Administration has laid the groundwork for our partnership with private-sector businesses to help deliver assistance to Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian, and I am grateful to First Lady Casey DeSantis for spearheading this initiative,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle. “The critical updates we receive from our partners on our daily private-sector calls are invaluable and help us continue to keep Floridians informed on FloridaDisaster.biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates.”
Businesses offering services and assistance for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian include:
For more information on services available from private partners and updates on business closures throughout the state of Florida, visit www.FloridaDisaster.biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates.
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to provide financial assistance to our communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with public, private, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are made to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and are tax-deductible. Donations may be made by credit card on the secure website www.floridadisasterfund.org or by check to the below address.
Checks should be made payable to the Volunteer Florida Foundation and should include “Florida Disaster Fund” in the memo line.
Volunteer Florida Foundation
Attention: Florida Disaster Fund
1545 Raymond Diehl Road Suite 250
Tallahassee, FL 32308