United Way of West Florida’s Recovery Fund has surpassed $325,000, with a goal of raising $500,000 to support long-term recovery efforts across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
When Hurricane Isaias swept through Northwest Florida, it left families across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties facing property damage, unexpected expenses and uncertainty about what comes next. As residents continue working to recover, United Way of West Florida (UWWF) is bringing the community together to help ensure local recovery efforts have the support they need.
Through Northwest Florida Cares, a community fundraising event held Oct. 21 at Cordova Mall, UWWF raised more than $130,000 to support long-term recovery efforts. The event brought the UWWF Recovery Fund total to more than $325,000, thanks to the generosity of local businesses, individual donors and community partners.
While this represents significant progress, the need for support continues. UWWF is working toward a $500,000 fundraising goal to help local organizations address ongoing recovery needs and support residents affected by Hurricane Isaias.
Community partnerships make a difference
Northwest Florida Cares was made possible with the support of media partners WEAR-TV, Cat Country 98.7 and News Radio 92.3. Their partnership helped bring the community together, raise awareness of ongoing recovery needs and encourage residents to support their neighbors.
UWWF also recognizes the generosity of corporate donors who have stepped forward to help the community recover, including Navy Federal Credit Union, TruWorth Credit Union, Florida Power & Light, Regions Bank, Hancock Whitney, Renasant Bank and Florida Blue.
Individual donors, local businesses and community members also played an important role in the fundraising effort. UWWF extends its gratitude to everyone who donated, attended the event or helped spread the word.
Community members also shared personal stories about how Hurricane Isaias affected their homes, families and livelihoods. Their willingness to speak about their experiences highlighted the ongoing challenges facing residents and reinforced the importance of continued recovery support.
“The response from our community shows what we can accomplish when we come together to support our neighbors,” said Laura Gilliam, president and CEO of UWWF. “We are grateful to our media partners, corporate supporters, individual donors and everyone who helped make this event a success. Recovery takes time, and these contributions will help support the organizations working to address ongoing needs in our community.”
211 Northwest Florida continues helping storm-affected residents
While fundraising helps support long-term recovery, residents also need access to resources and assistance as they navigate the aftermath of a disaster. Since Hurricane Isaias, 211 Northwest Florida has continued connecting people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with information, referrals and support.
As of Oct. 27, 211 Northwest Florida has answered 2,342 calls from residents in the two counties and helped 6,587 people since the storm.
Those assisted include:
- 658 people with disabilities
- 327 veterans
- 1,122 seniors
- 3,424 adults
- 1,056 children
These numbers reflect the broad impact of the storm and the importance of making assistance accessible to residents with different needs and circumstances. For some families, recovery means finding help with immediate needs. For others, it involves navigating additional challenges while managing storm-related damage and unexpected expenses.
211 Northwest Florida provides free, confidential assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, connecting residents with available resources and support. Anyone who needs assistance can call 211, visit 211nwfl.org or text their ZIP code to 898-211.
Help Northwest Florida reach its $500,000 goal
The UWWF Recovery Fund remains open, and the organization is continuing its efforts to raise $500,000 to support long-term recovery in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Donations stay local and support recovery efforts through local organizations, partner agencies and the Long-Term Recovery Group. Rather than distributing direct checks to individuals, the fund supports organizations working to address storm-related needs and help residents navigate the long road to recovery.
Reaching the $500,000 goal will help strengthen these local efforts and provide continued support as families and communities work to rebuild. Every contribution brings Northwest Florida one step closer to that goal.
Whether through a donation, sharing information about available resources or helping a neighbor connect with assistance, everyone has a role to play in the community's recovery.
The work isn't finished, and neither is the opportunity to help.
Visit uwwf.org to donate to the UWWF Recovery Fund and help Northwest Florida reach its $500,000 goal. Together, we can support the local organizations helping our neighbors recover and rebuild after Hurricane Isaias. Recovery takes time, and United is the Way.