Lutheran Disaster Response > Volunteer > Hurricane Volunteers > Florida

Florida
All areas welcome those that can bring their own housing – RVs, travel trailers, etc. Youth should be 16 or older to participate, with the exception of a few locations that allow youth as young as 14.

Recovery from tornados:

VIND (Volusia County) - Volunteers needed for recovery from two sets of tornados that swept through the county over the last several months.  Clean-up and rebuild volunteers needed.

LASER – Lake and Sumter Emergency Recovery – Lake and Sumter Counties were devastated by the “Groundhog Day” tornados that swept through both counties.  Rebuild volunteers needed in particular.

Recovery from Hurricanes Wilma, Rita, Katrina, Dennis, Jeanne, Ivan, Frances, and Charley:

IHOPE - Immokalee (East Collier County) -  Housing available for a small group (up to 20) at a rate of $15.00/person/night, including three meals.  Youth volunteers, ages 14 and up, are accepted with a ratio of at least one adult to every four youth.  Great need for skilled adult volunteers.  Located in a very rural community with a heavy migrant worker population, and Spanish-speaking volunteers are a plus.  Volunteers with mobile home repair experience are particularly needed.

Rebuild Northwest Florida – Santa Rosa, Escambia, and related – Only requesting skilled volunteers at this time.  Housing provided for a small fee, but volunteers much provide their own meals.

Pine Island Recovery / Beacon of Hope - West Lee County - This recovery group can handle small groups of volunteers (less than 10 at a time), and they prefer skilled adults.  Youth may be accepted as young as 14, but only as part of an adult group, not as a youth group.  Housing can be provided, but volunteers must provide their own meals.

RPAD (Rebuild Polk After Disaster) – Polk County - Rebuilding and disaster mitigation taking place through this recovery group.  Housing provided; will not accept youth volunteers.

Palm Beach County Long Term Recovery Committee - Volunteers needed for clean-up, rebuild, and mitigation tasks.  They will not accept youth groups.

INTACT - St. Lucie County - Skilled volunteers needed.  Housing and meals for volunteer groups may be available for volunteers through a local Lutheran congregation.

CREW (Community Rebuilding Ecumenical Workforce) – Hendry, Glades, West Palm Beach and Eastern Collier Counties - Limited volunteer housing at this time, but local churches have volunteered to put up groups.  There are also some RV hookups available for use.  Will accept youth volunteers, 16 and older.

If you are interested in volunteering through LDR at one of these sites, please select "Florida" as your Preferred State on the Volunteer Sign-Up form.