The Cookie Jar Fund exists to help Functional Pathways employees and facility staff when tragedy strikes. Tragedy struck when Hurricane Ian made landfall on September 28. Ian raked a path of destruction across the southeast, devastating the Florida Gulf Coast. Ian was ranked as one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the U.S. in decades.
Staff at several FP facilities in areas near St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Sarasota, and Venice were heavily affected. Employees endured loss of power, damages to homes and cars, and some were forced to evacuate.
The CJF provided gift cards for food, gas, and home repairs to over a dozen employees. Here’s the story of one of our staff members in Sarasota and how the CJF was able to step in to provide support when she needed it most.
My family and I live in Punta Gorda, FL. Hurricane Ian was making a direct path toward our area so we (myself, my 15-year-old, and my 4-month-old) chose to pack up and go to a local shelter where my husband, who is a sheriff deputy, was working so we could be together as a family during the incoming storm. The storm arrived on Wednesday and continued to hammer the area for 12 hours. The shelter we were in was rated for a category 5 storm, but because the storm sat over us for so many hours with such high winds, the roof of the building started to buckle, lifting several times, causing us to relocate. Throughout the day and night the sounds were indescribable, and the roof continued to lift over and over!! Needless to say, my 4-month-old was clutched in my arms for the entirety and prayers were necessary. WE WERE SOME OF THE LUCKY ONES! We made it through the night.
Thursday we headed from the shelter back to our home. We had to take detours and drive through flooded streets. People were already clearing roads, including trees, parts of roofs, and all kinds of debris. We arrived home to extensive damage, including the loss of the majority of the shingles on our roof as well as soffit loss. All of this caused water damage to our garage, laundry room, kitchen, guest room, bathroom, and my son’s room, including a cave-in of the guest room ceiling.
We had no power for over a week and relied on a propane generator to keep our fridge and freezer working and to maintain a primitive functional life while returning to work. Charlotte County was hit the hardest by Hurricane Ian, and the damage is unimaginable. Two of the three hospitals in our area have been destroyed, and gas and food are a test of patience and luck to even get. The loss of life will be unprecedented in the end of this, and it will take months to years to rebuild. But we are some of the lucky ones!
My team was amazing to help cover resident needs following the storm while I was clearing debris and unable to safely drive my 45-minute commute to work. They gracefully showed up even without WIFI and treated without a complaint. I am truly blessed with an amazing team. I was so thankful for the prayers, well wishes, and offers to assist with any needs. Although life is different right now and frustrating at times without our usual life comforts, we were very lucky!!
Thank you to the Functional Pathways regional operations team for reaching out for updates, sending well wishes, and for helping myself and the team through hard times. Without great leaders we wouldn’t be successful. I really do appreciate all the help and well wishes! I am so grateful for the assistance right now! Thank you FP family!!