Days after it was reported in the Herald/Times that there was a lack of donations toward Hurricane Michael recovery, Bryan Taylor, president of the United Way of Northwest Florida, arrived to the post office only to be surprised with the charity’s mailbox stuffed with envelopes.
“We’re so grateful for the overwhelming response,” he said.
United Way of Northwest Florida manages the funds for the new Bay County Long Term Disaster Recovery Organization. The group, which is based on local nonprofit faith leaders, is just beginning to address the many issues still ahead for the recovery in Bay County,home to Panama City and Mexico Beach.
Five days after the story’s publication, Taylor said they received roughly $16,200. Of that, about $7,100 came in the mail from readers who asked that the funds go directly to Hurricane Michael damage.
“I realize this is a drop in the bucket, but I want you to know that this donation is a direct result of the January 27th article in the Tampa Bay Times,” wrote another.
The rest of the donations came online or through United Way’s text-to-give option. A single donor in Miami gave $5,000. Most, if not all, will go the Bay County Group. The donors give instructions on the online portal of where they want their donations to go.
“I want to send our most sincere thanks to those who not only read [the] story but responded in such a generous way,” he said.
For the full story, please visit Miami Herald.
