TOWN ‘N’ COUNTRY – Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis presented Better Together with $50,000 to aid the nonprofit’s continued relief efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The grant, made possible through the Florida Disaster Fund, was announced at an Oct. 17 news conference in Town ‘n’ Country, a Tampa Bay community that Better Together served immediately after the storms.
With a mission to strengthen families and prevent the need for foster
care, Better Together helps families weather life’s storms – a medical emergency, homelessness, addiction and isolation. A hurricane is yet another crisis, and in the aftermath of Helene and Milton, Better Together is working alongside families to serve as a support system, distribute essential supplies, provide short-term host families to care for children and offer work resources and mentorship to help parents get back on their feet.
Before Helene and Milton made landfall, Better Together volunteers were boots on the ground preparing supply trucks to deploy immediately after each storm. Volunteers have since been helping families pick up the pieces, knocking on doors in at-risk communities, delivering meals and supplies, and triaging the most urgent needs of vulnerable children and families across Florida.
“For many of the families we serve, life was difficult enough before the arrivals of Hurricanes Helene and Milton a mere two weeks apart. A crisis like this can push them over the edge, leaving their children at risk. Our goal is to step in before it comes to that point,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “We are so thankful for Gov. DeSantis and the First Lady’s leadership, trust and support of our efforts, allowing us to help families emerge from this difficult situation stronger. The Disaster Relief Fund cuts through red tape and gets resources to those who are helping. We’re receiving referrals from Hope Florida and the Department of Children and Families, working alongside them to fill in gaps and support families.”
This is not the first time Better Together has risen to meet the needs of families in crisis after a natural disaster. Similar efforts took place following Hurricane Ian in 2022 and most recently after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend.
“We would not be able to accomplish the things that we do, and to serve the thousands of individuals that we have, without the generous hearts and acts of service by our Hope Florida partners,” said Shevaun Harris, secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. “These entities step into the gap each and every time and they answer the call each time.”
Visit BetterTogetherUS.org/Hurricane-Relief to learn more about Better Together and ways to give or get help.
