Everglades City, Plantation Island, Chokoloskee
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As many of you know Florida was in the path of hurricane Irma. For days we watched as she grew and moved across the caribbean, leaving behind total destruction. Entire islands were wiped out. Irma was coming for us and she was a hurricane wider than the beautiful state we live in. For days I saw neighbors helping each other. Everyone was looking out for one another and all we could do was board up and hope for the best.
Irma shifted to the west and went up the coast making landfall in Marco Island. Every coastal town east of the storm was left with devastating winds followed by dangerous storm surge that was inescapable.
Tampa bay had a lot of damaging winds but we were lucky to not have to deal with storm surge. Power was out for a week. It was at this time that I realized what really matters. I could care less about my computer, my TV, or my sports memorabilia. My family was safe and for that I am extremely thankful. I know not everyone was as lucky as us and in my heart I knew right then and there what I had to do.
A friend of mine and fellow captain was heading down south to help with whatever he could. After he returned I spoke with him and he explained a horrible situation. He was in everglades city, a small coastal town just south of Marco Island. The storm surge reached 8-10 feet destroying everything it touched.
I couldn’t imagine what they were going through but I knew I had to do something. I made a post on Facebook asking for donations of clothes and water. The response was overwhelming.
People were dropping things off at my house while I was out collecting other donations.
So many things were donated we were able to fill 2 trucks and a trailer with clothes water and cleaning products.
At 3:15am Sunday September 17th I woke up my 15 year old son and I told him we were going to go help people. I met up with my friend William at the ice machine and got about 15 bags of ice to take with us. We drove about 3 hours before reaching everglades city.
At first driving on state road 29 things didn’t look bad. There were some trees down but the street was clear and all the power poles were intact. Once we got into the city we could see the catastrophic impact from Hurricane Irma.
Everything was a total loss. Driving down the streets It was as if a tornado had gone through and tore everything out from within the home and piled it out front. Now imagine seeing that down every turn, every street, every home.
You would expect people dealing with such a disaster to have help already. But all we saw were a few police officers guarding an area. I was in shock at the aftermath it took me a minute to realize i wasn’t seeing anyone around. In my mind I was thinking, Who are we going to help? It looked like a town that had experienced bomb testing.
We went back where the police were guarding the area and told them that we have some supplies and wanted to help people but we couldn’t find anyone. They told us to go by the school but as we drove by we still didn’t see anyone.
We continued driving and came across a few houses with families pulling things out of their homes. We talked to them and they told us that they were fine and didn’t need any supplies. I was amazed that they didn’t even take a water or anything. They directed us to an area where we would find more people. As we drive over the small bridge into plantation we started to see more of the devastation of irma’s impact. There were boats scattered all over in every direction. upside down, trailer one way the boat the other. We started to see people and we stopped every time we saw someone. We started handing out cases of water, ice and everything else they needed. Most of them just wanted someone to talk to. They told us that in the past few days they have had a few people from all over come by and donate items. They told us that the day before they had a family from New Orleans and Michigan giving them things.
As we were driving and handing out what they needed one gentleman told us to make sure we visit the lady with the black car in front of her house. We went to her and asked if she needed anything. She said she was fine until we mentioned we had ice and clothes. I could see it in her eyes, the pain and sorrow was written all over her face. Gavin got her the ice as William started to look for shirts for her. She said she had plenty of water and that she was ok. Later during that day, I heard a story about her husband. He was the only one that didn’t leave for the storm. They said his house started flooding due to storm surge and he was forced to swim out of a window and over to the neighbors roof where he waited with a life jacket. He survived the storm but passed away Saturday after complications of infection after being exposed to the unsanitary waters left behind by Irma. I felt extremely sad for this lady. She lost everything. I can’t imagine the heartache of losing your home but also losing your partner just days after.
We stopped and offered water and clothes to everyone we saw. We left plantation and headed to Chokoloskee. As we drove into Chokoloskee we could see the power company fixing the lines. Once again we got to where the houses were and it was clear this town also took a beating. We drove around and started to hand out what we had. People were so grateful and thanked us for coming. It’s incredible how most of them just wanted to talk. They needed someone to hear their story. As we drove all over Chokoloskee handing out water, ice, snacks, toilet paper, clothes and a shoulder to lean on, I came across a fisherman that I knew from a few years back. We have fished next to each other a few times when he comes over this way and have had a few conversations at the marina. I spoke to him and his girlfriend for a bit and made sure he had enough ice to enjoy a cold Corona. As we finished up in Chokoloskee we still had plenty of supplies. I stopped and spoke with a police officer and he let me know they had a donation location in town. As we get into the middle of town we could see all the donations coming in. Cases and cases of water, clothes, food, and toiletries.
As we were unloading the items at the donation center I saw a little boy, probably about 5 years old with his mother. He didn’t have shoes or a shirt. At that moment I couldn’t have thought of a more perfect match. While everyone was donating clothes and water a friend, Mike Dukes and his family had come to my house with boxes of donations and one special box from his young son. That very special box was full of toys. It road in the truck with me and every little bump or movement a toy truck would sound. It talked the entire ride down. It was perfect that truck was going to this kid. I asked the little shirtless boy and his mother to wait as I ran back to the truck. I handed him the coolest, loudest, most awesome truck ever! From one kid to another. His mother said “Oh No! That thing is going to keep me up all night!!” She thanked me and gave me a big hug. I could feel all the emotions and at that point it was hard for me to hold back the tears. She let me know they would be ok. I saw another little boy and gave him a pirate ship. He gave me a high five and just seeing their faces light up by something so simple was pulling on my heart strings.
I made my way over to my friend Steve who had a crew of Tampa Captains working hard clearing homes of debri, and removing everything from furniture to appliances. As I was cooking Hot dogs for all these guys that were busting their asses, all I could think about were the kids. No one chooses to be in this situation. Children are so innocent and yet teach us so much. I am truly thankful for everything everyone donated. We did good. So many people were helped. It doesn’t take much to make a difference. It just takes an open heart and a little time. I want to thank all of you who donated and reached out to me. We did it. With your donations we helped many people in Everglade City, Chokoloskee, and Plantation Island.
Edward Pic, Mike Dukes and family, Teddi Easterman and family, Larry Munch, Carmen Taylor, Marie my next door neighbor, Thomas Jaquis and his son, Cara Ryan, Kimberlyn Ann, Rob and Melanie Allison, Dean Ball, Bill Pupo, Rob Hyypio, Gulf Bred, Gulf fed (GBGF), Mike Berg, Chris and Lynn Baldwin.You are the ones that made a difference.
I apologize if I forgot anyone. It’s just incredible how many people reached out to try and donate. I even had Raul Guillermo from Miami, offer to ship water to me. A few of you wanted to make cash donations. The gesture was greatly appreciated but declined.
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