Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund Awards $390,000 To Help Hurricane Matthew Victims

Jacksonville, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2016) – Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund has awarded more than $390,716 as of Dec. 15 to help community organizations assist victims of Hurricane Matthew in Northeast Florida.

The awards have been used to provide shelter and food for more than 6,000 families, to provide debris removal for elderly residents, to help victims meet basic rent and utility expenses, and to provide case management and connect victims with other sources of support.

Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund was established in early October after Hurricane Matthew grazed the coast of Northeast Florida leaving extensive property damage in its wake. United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of St. Johns County, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, and the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville joined together to create the fund.

The fund was seeded with an initial gift of $250,000 from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. Additional gifts from individuals, corporations and funders have brought total contributions to $545,208 as of mid-December.

“Every dollar that has been donated to this fund is having a real and significant difference here in the First Coast Community,” said Melissa Nelson, president and CEO of United Way of St. Johns County. “Efforts to rebuild, not just homes but lives, continue daily, even though the storm seems long past. We cannot thank the donors enough for their generosity.”

Distributions from the Relief Fund are overseen by a committee comprised of representatives of the City of Jacksonville, United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of St. Johns County, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville.

The fund makes grants only to organizations helping individuals impacted by Hurricane Matthew in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties, providing resources to meet needs not met by government programs. Organizations receiving funding to date are:

• American Red Cross, Northeast Florida Chapter
• Barnabas, Nassau County
• Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry
• Catholic Charities, St. Augustine office
• City Rescue Mission
• ElderSource in partnership with Councils on Aging in Nassau, St. Johns, Duval and Clay counties
• Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County
• Feeding Northeast Florida
• First Congregation Sons of Israel
• Salvation Army, Northeast Florida Area Command
• St. Francis House
• St. Johns Housing Partnership

Contributions are still being accepted. One hundred percent of all gifts will go to the relief effort. Any unspent funds will be used to seed a permanent disaster relief fund for Northeast Florida.

To contribute, visit bit.ly/flfirstcoastrelief.

About United Way of Northeast Florida

With a rich 90-year history, United Way of Northeast Florida has earned a reputation as a respected and efficient philanthropic organization. The nonprofit organization’s long tradition of addressing the human service needs in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and Northern St. Johns counties is made possible through the commitment of thousands of volunteers, contributors and community partners. Learn more at unitedwaynefl.org.

About United Way of St. Johns County

The only organization of its type in St. Johns County, United Way-SJC brings together agencies, businesses, organizations, faith-based groups, government and individuals to focus on the community problems that matter most. Partners share the vision and have the energy, passion, expertise and resources to get the work done. For nearly 60 years, United Way-SJC has improved lives and built a strong, healthy community by strategically investing in quality programs, building partnerships, advocating for better policies, engaging the community and leveraging resources. Success is measured not by dollars raised, but by lives improved and changed. www.unitedway-sjc.org

About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (jaxcf.org), Florida’s oldest and largest community foundation, works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. The Foundation helps donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helps nonprofits serve the region effectively, and helps people come together to make the community a better place. Now in its 51st year, the Foundation has assets of $313 million and has made grants of nearly $369 million since 1964.

About the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville is a fundraising organization supporting the members of our community and providing for health, education and welfare, and ensuring the dignity of life. For more information, visit jewishjacksonville.org.

About the Jessie Ball duPont Fund

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund invests in people, organizations and communities that were important to Jessie Ball duPont. To learn more, visit www.dupontfund.org.