PENSACOLA, Fla. – Today, during a tour of impacted areas, Governor Rick Scott announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund. The Florida Disaster Fund helps Floridians who have been impacted by disasters by providing a mechanism for businesses and individuals who seek to support critical local recovery efforts.
Governor Scott said, “Last week I saw first-hand the devastation that recent flooding has left behind in Florida’s Panhandle. Floridians and businesses have already stepped up to help their neighbors, and activating the Florida Disaster Fund is the next step in the ongoing recovery efforts. Through the Florida Disaster Fund, we can leverage donations for long-term assistance. This week we also learned that our major disaster declaration for Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties was approved, which will further help our communities recover and succeed.”
“We thank Governor Scott for his support of the local organizations that serve families and individuals impacted by the flooding,” said Chester Spellman, Executive Director of the Volunteer Florida Foundation, which administers the Florida Disaster Fund. “Our goal is to ensure that volunteers and donations are supported in the most effective and helpful way, and activating the Florida Disaster Fund is one of the best ways to do that.”
In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Volunteer Florida Foundation supports response and recovery activities through the Florida Disaster Fund. In a disaster, donations offered through the Florida Disaster Fund are subgranted to eligible disaster relief organizations. Eligible applicants include long-term recovery organizations and other non-profits, both faith-based and secular.
In addition to the Florida Disaster Fund, Governor Scott encourages individuals to donate to the established disaster relief organizations of their choice.
The Florida Disaster Fund is managed by the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation. To make a contribution to help flood victims through the fund, please visit http://www.volunteerflorida.org/emergency-management/florida-disaster-fund/.
Volunteer Florida, the Governor’s Commission on Community Service, was established in 1994 by the Florida Legislature to administer grants under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. The Commission grants funds to Florida AmeriCorps and National Service programs; coordinates volunteers and donations in a disaster; and inspires all Floridians to serve their communities. For more information, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org.
The Volunteer Florida Foundation is a non-profit charity established, organized and operated exclusively as a direct support organization to assist the Florida Commission on Community Service, Volunteer Florida. The Foundation raises funds to aid the Commission in accomplishing its goals of meeting important human needs in Florida. The Foundation’s activities are guided by a voluntary Board of Directors.
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May 8, 2014
Contact: media@eog.myflorida.com
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