Hurricane Ian: One Year Later

2023 • HURRICANE IAN: ONE YEAR LATER • 33 Specializing in Roofing (Metal, shingle & tile) Impact windows and doors Drywall adno=3902750-1 We Make Every Project a Priority 28 years Family owned and operated CALL NOW 941-444-1969 Lic# GC-cgc1329098 ccc1329098 said. "It was an emotional hit when we lost the store, but we took the obstacle and turned it into an opportunity." During the initial aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Habitat for Humanity was able to turn the store's back warehouse into a distribution center. "The roofers came really quick and dried the roof in," Allen said. "A lot of items that were contributed to the community had nowhere to go because everything was destroyed, but we were able to get the store enough up on its feet so that people could come through and pick them up." NORTH PORT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB The Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club has been operating since 1997. The club serves children and teens by providing resources to help them get good grades, become leaders, practice healthy habits and create longterm goals. During Hurricane Ian, the club took heavy damage, but that didn't stop its staff from assisting the community. "The Gene Matthews Club had these two church buildings connected to the facility, but they were absolutely destroyed from Ian," Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto County President/CEO Bill Sadlo said. Sadlo said that the first course of action was to provide immediate relief to families in need. "We gave away all kinds of essential items like food, water, diapers and clothes," he said. "We partnered with some food banks to help with relief, too." The next step was to still uphold the mission of the club which is to serve kids. While the Gene Matthews Club was out of commission, Sadlo said that they could bring the Boys & Girls club to the kids. "We offered programs at the schools while we fixed up the club," Sado said. "After a couple of weeks, we could use the gymnasium and other facilities at the club." Going forward, a brand new Gene Matthews Club will be in the works and expected to open in late 2024 or early 2025. The campus will be named after Steve and Marge Townsend who contributed $1 million to the project. "Ian was terrible, and it affected every single aspect of our community, but seeing the community come together and seeing the generosity of others is touching," Sado said. PROVIDED BY DOUG IZZO A house had its roof torn off from Ian, exposing the innards of the house to the elements. PROVIDED BY DOUG IZZO The back room of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce holds essential supplies, donated for those in need.

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