Governor's Faith and Community Based Initiative Quick Contacts and Resources

Florida Faith and Community Leaders,

Today marks two weeks since hurricane Ian came onto Florida shores and changed many parts of our state forever. So many people lost so much, and as a Lee county resident myself whose family was evacuated early Wednesday morning and came back to find most of our possessions gone, I can tell you that we have personally felt and seen the power of prayer, the value of great leadership by our Governor and First Lady, and the incredible love and service by our faith and community institutions in these two weeks.

I am grateful for each and every one of you and your incredible desire to serve and love one another which has been on display throughout our state. Days that were originally filled with loss, concern and devastation are now being filled with resolve, perseverance, prayer and hope.

The stories are endless, from one of the nation’s largest search and rescue efforts to humanitarian aid pouring out from every part of our state and country, to hot meals being prepared, debris being cleared, houses being shelters filled with volunteers, tireless work being done to the infrastructure of our roads and bridges, state, county, city employees working 24 hours a day in command centers, thousands of linemen restoring power…this has been an all hands on deck time for our state and in many ways it was our best of days. Collaboration, cooperation, and a beautiful bond of unity has been seen between our citizens, our churches, our faith institutions, our community organizations, and our government. We have truly been Florida Strong and I cannot thank you enough for all you have done.

Hours after the storm, our incredible First Lady, Casey DeSantis stood-up the Florida Disaster Fund to help ensure that money being donated by our private businesses, community organizations and faith institutions would make it directly to the people who need it the most. If you are looking for a place to either send relief funds or encourage others to give, please consider visiting https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/.

We have also put together the attached document with information that you may find useful or may want to share with your memberships and congregations. Please feel free to reach out to our faith and community information line, at 850-717-9494 if we can answer any questions for you—our Faith And Community Leaders.

On behalf of Governor DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and families like mine, thank you for the incredible way you stand on the front line of your communities, serving our citizens during some of their hardest times.

God Bless you.

Erik

Erik Dellenback
Governor’s Liaison for Faith and Community
Executive Office of the Governor
State of Florida