Both Home Depot and Bank of America put up $1 million each which has now been awarded to non-profits, Faith-based and Community-Based organizations in the hardest hit areas, to repair/rebuild damaged organization facilities. About 31 awards were made from the Home Depot funds (pdf, 12K), including to organizations serving the homeless, youth, elders, those with disabilities etc. [plus 2 museums?!] Similar awards were made out of the Bank of America donation (pdf, 7K), mainly focusing on restoration of service capacity and rebuilding residences.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: JACOB DIPIETRE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2005 (850) 488-5394

~Distribute Checks from Florida Hurricane Relief Fund~

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush and Lt. Governor Toni Jennings returned to hurricane landfall sites in Florida today and presented checks from the Florida Hurricane Relief fund. Governor Bush visited Port Charlotte, where Hurricane Charley made landfall on August 13, 2004, and the Pensacola area, which took the brunt of Hurricane Ivan beginning September 16, 2004. Lt. Governor Jennings visited the St. Lucie/Martin county area where Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne made landfall on September 5, 2004 and September 26, 2004, respectively.

“Floridians continue to work hard to rebuild communities devastated by hurricanes only six months ago,” said Governor Bush. “Today we commend the generosity of those whose donations will speed along these recovery efforts.”

In Pensacola, Governor Bush awarded $100,000 from the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund to the Mennonite Disaster Services organization, which is working to bring volunteer relief workers to the state to help in restoration and rebuilding. The money will be used to purchase tools, equipment and supplies to help restore homes for low-income residents in Escambia, Hardee and DeSoto counties. Kevin King, executive coordinator, Mennonite Disaster Services accepted the check. Governor Bush was joined by Steve Uhlfelder, Voluntary CEO Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, Senator Durell Peaden, Representatives Holly Benson, Greg Evers, Dave Murzin, Mike Davis, community leaders and local government officials.

In Port Charlotte, Governor Bush presented a check for $18,756 to the Charlotte County YMCA, which will use the money to repair facilities at its Edgewater Branch. Bibi Ullah, YMCA branch director, accepted the funds. The Governor was joined by Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, Representatives Larry Cretul, Paige Kreegel, Jeff Kottkamp, Charlotte County YMCA CEO Paul Versnik, community leaders and local government officials.

“So many Floridians are struggling to rebuild and I applaud the Governor and lawmakers for seeking action to bring relief to our residents,” said CFO Gallagher. “I want to encourage the residents of the impacted communities to take advantage of the property tax relief measures that are in place.”

In Stuart, Lt. Governor Jennings presented the first installment of a $351,683 grant to Centro Campesino Farmworker Center, Inc., a private not-for-profit farmworker advocacy and housing provider with a 30 year history serving farmworkers and rural low-income families in a 10 county service area of South Florida.

Chairman of the Board of Centro Campesino Farmworker Center, Inc., Joseph Segor accepted the check on the behalf of the organization which has expanded its base of operations due to last year’s hurricane damage. Centro’s program provides gap funding to repair permanent homes and mobile homes or bring replacement trailers to families who have lost their homes.

“We can’t thank enough the people who have given so generously to the relief effort,” said Lt. Governor Jennings. “Individuals and businesses from across the state and around the world have seen the need and responded.”

Grants announced today were made possible by specific grants from Bank of America and The Home Depot. To date, the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund has received more than $19 million in contributions, with $14 million committed to specific areas of recovery.

Important Deadlines:

Both Governor Bush and Lt. Governor Jennings urged Floridians to be aware of upcoming deadlines to apply for state funds under two programs created by the Florida Legislature in special session last December. They are: