With FEMA’s support, they have since found a new apartment, but the memories linger. “My old apartment complex keeps calling and saying they’d love us back,” Amanda shared. “But neither my daughter nor my dog will go near that place.”
Amanda’s LSF Pinellas CMO family has enveloped her in love and support, from offering shelter to providing clothing and daily encouragement. “It’s made me see my clients’ struggles in a different light,” Amanda said. “When you’re left with nothing, it gives you a new compassion. It’s about people, not things.”
When news broke that Hurricane Milton would be making landfall nearby in a similar area less than two weeks after Helene, Amanda had no hesitation evacuating. She and her daughter joined a coworker and her family in Orlando to wait out Milton further inland.
Despite knowing they were safe where they were, Amanda admitted she found herself driving to a Publix near where they were staying in Orlando to find a moment to herself. Amanda sat in her car and cried. Storms like Helene leave an impact that is often unfathomable if you haven’t faced them yourself.
As Amanda, her daughter, and Rocco begin to rebuild, many in the LSF community are still searching for a new sense of normal after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Though the storms have passed, their impact lingers, echoing in the hearts of countless Floridians.
Please consider supporting Florida residents in their journey to rebuild. The LSF Hurricane Relief Fund is urgently asking for your support to provide temporary and long-term housing for children and families forced to evacuate. Visit LSF’s Hurricane Relief Fund to learn more about how you can help.