Rebuilding Hope: Martin Co. Tornados & Cedar Key Hurricanes!

UPDATED OCTOBER 18, FOR TORNADOS THAT HAVE DEVASTATED MY BACK YARD (PORT SALERNO, MARTIN COUNTY), SPAWNED FROM HURRICANE MILTON 1 WEEK AFTER HURRICANE HELENE.

This is a simple fundraiser from a simple "Old Florida gal" who was raised on the east coast of Florida and vacationed with parents on the west coast. "Forever Florida" folks I know have the humility to know that these pocket corners of the Sunshine State hurt harder and take longer to recover. Hurricane Milton spawned EF-2 and EF-3 tornados across Southeast FL. Enough to blow up a house, from the inside. And they did. Some just 1/3 of a mile from my home.

After Helene and before Milton's tornados, I traveled to Cedar Key with a load from Lowe's + deployed $2650+ in hand-to-hand activity with specific folks for specific reasons. I will continue that, as they move through recovery stages.

Now, I have several neighbors in Port Salerno in dire need. They are homeless. However, they have extended family and are self-sufficient and have done a lot on their own. They just need help here and there. For instance, $130 of your donations went to a heavily discounted vet bill. This beautiful dog survived a home collapsing with 5 people inside but suffered serious labored breathing and new anxiety. All good now and fully screened! No ingested construction material! No permanent eye damage! She has temp pain meds and anxiety med, to sleep through the night. She has bruising but being inside a home that imploded. Thank you, Port Salerno Animal Hospital (my Cricket's alma mater!) for the discounts.

My parents spent years trailering a boat behind an RV to Cedar Key, an island that sits 3 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico, for loads of redfish and amazing family memories. That's a photo of my late Dad circa 1991 with his beloved Ranger bass boat, during a west coast trip. I took the photo as we tied up the boat for lunch. Even when this gal was a UF student, missing these adventures: "Well, honey, we'll be fishing on the west coast next month if you want to jump over from Gainesville. Bring a friend." Paradise! When people say "Old Florida," they mean places like Cedar Key. Coastal hamlets with small, tight-knit communities of resilient folks who do not complain, and tend to be too proud to ask for help. Historic main streets, fishing villages, waterfront life. Full of artists and musicians who "could have made it big" yet chose to stay. Plus tons of people trying to be alone but who aren't lonely~!

On the east coast, Port Salerno is a similar working-class area of unincorporated Martin County. It has a working waterfront of commercial docks. Charter boats. Salty characters. Its corners took direct hits in the tornados.

I have MATCHED every donation you have made at 50%. Plus donuts to the small fire station. Hot food to people without power. Pizzas to volunteer clean-up crews. Other stuff that is easily addressed with a quiet phone call to those in power; many of them are going way over and above.

Count your blessings, friends. To anyone reading this who is dealing with the aftermath: You are stronger than you think. But lean on someone, anyone, when you need to. Even if it's just to listen and get out frustration, to move on and push through another day. We're here.