Aid for Lisa: Finding Home and Hope Again

Our fellow Penn Stater, RPTM alum, fellow yogi and friend Lisa Phillips Park was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Lisa recently moved back to Treasure Island FL where she had moved after living in State College PA many years. It is not an area for which there had been previous issues. In Lisa's words "Helene came in fast after dark. When when the high tide came we had both the gulf and the inner coastal water way surrounding my apartment building rising very quickly and unexpectedly. When the water came into my apartment through the walls, I had to open the doors to let it move through. I went to a friend's apartment on the second floor with my three dogs. As waters continued to rise, we had to swim out of the bedroom window to get to a third floor apartment." Several of her neighbors did not survive and were found in their apartments. Lisa was finally able to get out with what little she could carry in some bags and a wagon from her apartment. She walked several miles with her dogs to get help.

Lisa lost all of her possessions including her car. With the help of strangers and work colleagues, she has found a temporary place to stay. She took in her mother's dog when her Mom passed away and has two of her own. She needs a longer term solution. The place where she is staying does not allow dogs although the owners are granting a temporary exception because of the emergency.

Lisa has several immediate needs:

1) Does anyone know of any longer term VRBOs, AirBNBs or other rental opportunities in Florida? She is willing to temporarily relocate and can access transportation to get there. She has two large Mastiff dogs and a dachshund that is blind. All are senior dogs.

2) Lisa can continue to work from a remote location as her employer is replacing her lost work computer. Her living expenses for now are covered. FEMA will also likely provide some assistance. However, the replacement costs of clothes, personal belongs, housewares, etc. will be a challenge.

Please give what you can to help Lisa start to rebuild her life.