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#COLLIERSTRONG

A s Hurricane Irma set her sights on Collier County in share of your time and resources, but it’s a start. And there’s no
September, we at the Collier County Sheriff’s Office
better way to pass on the importance of caring and sharing to
watched as an even stronger force rose to meet her.
Neighbors helped install hurricane shutters. Friends our children than to invite them to take part in these activities
and to lead by example.
welcomed strangers to weather the storm in safe places.
We wished each other good luck and safety, and checked in IF YOU WANT TO HELP, YOU CAN:
whenever possible. • Contribute to the new “Collier Comes Together Disaster
And folks banded together in the aftermath of the storm to Relief Fund” through The Community Foundation of Collier
donate food and water to those in need. They grabbed chainsaws County, which has teamed up with the CCSO and other local
and cleared neighbor’s driveways and opened their homes so law enforcement agencies
those without power or water could get some relief. • Sign up at VolunteerFlorida.org to be dispatched to help in
Our first responders pulled long shifts to keep the roadways local relief efforts
and our property safe. County employees labored on weekends • Donate or spend time helping Habitat for Humanity of
and overnight to ensure we had safe drinking water and hot Collier County rebuild its homes
meals. Utility crews restored power at break neck speed. • Volunteer at a local nursing home, where residents were
We are prouder than ever to be #CollierStrong. shaken up and displaced during the storm
But the work is far from over. • Send food with Meals of Hope with a donation
Hurricane Irma wreaked widespread and significant damage. • Help the American Red Cross provide food, shelter and
The storm destroyed homes and sent flood waters rushing comfort with a donation
into others, ruining personal possessions, spreading mold and • Ask your church how they’re helping and volunteer with other
making some places unlivable. Families face months of recovery parishioners
and thousands in repairs and cleanup. And if you don’t have time or money to lend, we’re sure you
And as you know, some of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane have a well of kindness you can share. Smile more. Ask your
Irma, places such as Immokalee and Everglades City, were coworkers how they’re doing – and mean it. Let someone cut
already hard pressed to make ends meet. in line at the grocery store or offer to watch a friend’s children
So what can we do to help? How can we continue to while they make repairs to their home or just get away for the
display that communal strength we showed in the immediate evening.
aftermath? Together we can show each other and everyone watching
The following is by no means a comprehensive list of ways to what it means to be #CollierStrong.

92 Life in Naples | November 2017