Over the last week, our grass roots campaign has helped us collect $156,000 so far. Those donations have come from individuals like you. They’ve been donations of $20, $50, $100, $1,000. Then, you’ve helped spread the word by sharing the devastating pictures, or the heartbreaking stories of the people on Fort Myers Beach. Working with The Community Foundation and The Woman’s Club on Fort Myers Beach (both are 5013c’s) we will get the money to the residents who live on the island a quickly as possible.
Our second project is to get $500 gift cards to every employee that is now out of work. Many FMB businesses were swallowed by the Gulf of Mexico. The word most often used last week was “gone.” Other businesses are severely damaged. NONE of the businesses on the beach are open. By our early calculation, there’s about 200 people who were instantly unemployed. They need our help too. A lot of you are mailing gift cards to us and we will quickly get those in the hands of these employees. But, we are going to need more help for them so no employee is left behind.
This is a plea to all local and corporate businesses. We’re going to need your help to make this happen. If a handful of successful business started a gift card campaign, we’d be able to take care of every one of these employees in just a few days.
If you know a business that you think can help, please share their number with me. I have no problem making this pitch.
If you know the local manager of a Wal-Mart, please help connect us. Wal-Mart, Target and Publix are probably going to be the biggest beneficiaries from these gift cards. Maybe they can match our campaign.
Before the storm, our FB page had 8,000 followers. After the storm it jumped to 49,000. Somebody in this group knows somebody. We just need to get to them so they can help.
My number is 239-247-3833
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