DontForgetBigPine
Donation protected
Sunday morning September 10th hurricane Irma, the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic made land fall in Big Pine Key part of the lower Florida Keys. The monster of a storm not only brought 130 sustained winds, 5 1/2 feet of storm surge, but also devastating tornadoes.
I spent 10 years living on the rock and had the dream job of dolphin trainer, met my wife and stepdaughter, and had a little baby conch born in Key West. Two years ago we moved to the mainland and left behind family, friends, and so many memories.
As this storm got closer we hoped and prayed our little island wouldn't take a hit (or such a hard hit) but it did. As the storm went by we were not only concerned for my father-in-law's house in Marathon but also for all the mobile homes and trailers. Soon our question was answered, dads house was destroyed. The media for days after was flooded with pictures and reporters covering the unimaginable devastation caused by this storm, especially for the lower keys. However, soon they would leave as the people began to try and pick up the pieces.
My my wife went down shortly after to help her dad sift through the silt and mold covered items that may be salvageable but unfortunately not to much made it. The following weekend I came down and decided to help Big Pine. It truly looked like a war zone. The amount of homes ripped from their foundations leaving just a twisted frame behind was uncountable.
We started this Go Fund Me for the residents of Big Pine especially the avenues, the hardest hit area. Long after the media goes away these people will try and pick up the literal pieces and rebuild. These people desperately need help, some people still can't even get to their homes because there is too much debris, trees, and boats covering their property.
We wrote a post hoping to make people aware and it's now been shared over 3,000 times in two days. Many people commented they would like to help and didn't know how which is how we came up with the idea of starting the Don't Forget Big Pine Facebook page and this page. These people need money now to buy things like tarps, chainsaws, wheel barrows, shovels, gloves, masks, bleach, garbage bags, pet food, etc all just to begin the process of trying to get into their homes or to try and salvage what's left of their lives.
Meghan and I will be going down every weekend brining supplies, donations, and to volunteer. The people of Big Pine have been so thankful for what we've done in just 48 hours, just making people aware of their situation and not letting them disappear like the storm. The support that can be raised will mean so much to them and us as we are only 2 people who can do so much but in 48 hours have reached so many willing to open their hearts and wallets.
Today we we ask instead of that Starbucks, Red Bull, or whatever small luxury you enjoy, please give to the people of Big Pine and know that your donation will certainly change someone's day, week, month, and certainly their life. God bless you. You can keep up with the efforts on:
Facebook: Don't Forget Big Pine
Twitter: @Dont4getBigPine
Instagram: @dont4getbigpjne
I spent 10 years living on the rock and had the dream job of dolphin trainer, met my wife and stepdaughter, and had a little baby conch born in Key West. Two years ago we moved to the mainland and left behind family, friends, and so many memories.
As this storm got closer we hoped and prayed our little island wouldn't take a hit (or such a hard hit) but it did. As the storm went by we were not only concerned for my father-in-law's house in Marathon but also for all the mobile homes and trailers. Soon our question was answered, dads house was destroyed. The media for days after was flooded with pictures and reporters covering the unimaginable devastation caused by this storm, especially for the lower keys. However, soon they would leave as the people began to try and pick up the pieces.
My my wife went down shortly after to help her dad sift through the silt and mold covered items that may be salvageable but unfortunately not to much made it. The following weekend I came down and decided to help Big Pine. It truly looked like a war zone. The amount of homes ripped from their foundations leaving just a twisted frame behind was uncountable.
We started this Go Fund Me for the residents of Big Pine especially the avenues, the hardest hit area. Long after the media goes away these people will try and pick up the literal pieces and rebuild. These people desperately need help, some people still can't even get to their homes because there is too much debris, trees, and boats covering their property.
We wrote a post hoping to make people aware and it's now been shared over 3,000 times in two days. Many people commented they would like to help and didn't know how which is how we came up with the idea of starting the Don't Forget Big Pine Facebook page and this page. These people need money now to buy things like tarps, chainsaws, wheel barrows, shovels, gloves, masks, bleach, garbage bags, pet food, etc all just to begin the process of trying to get into their homes or to try and salvage what's left of their lives.
Meghan and I will be going down every weekend brining supplies, donations, and to volunteer. The people of Big Pine have been so thankful for what we've done in just 48 hours, just making people aware of their situation and not letting them disappear like the storm. The support that can be raised will mean so much to them and us as we are only 2 people who can do so much but in 48 hours have reached so many willing to open their hearts and wallets.
Today we we ask instead of that Starbucks, Red Bull, or whatever small luxury you enjoy, please give to the people of Big Pine and know that your donation will certainly change someone's day, week, month, and certainly their life. God bless you. You can keep up with the efforts on:
Facebook: Don't Forget Big Pine
Twitter: @Dont4getBigPine
Instagram: @dont4getbigpjne
Organizer
Daniel Hutchinson
Organizer
Big Pine Key, FL
