Charities raise $500,000 for SWFL Irma relief, seek $500,000 more

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FORT MYERS, Fla. Half a million dollars has been raised for Hurricane Irma relief efforts, and the charities behind it are going after more.

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation and the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee have established a fund that allows the public to add to the total, Lee County leaders announced Friday.

“There are people out there who are hurting,” Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman said. “There are people who are standing in line for hours with their children just to get water. This is a big storm; this did a lot of damage to Lee County.”

The goal is to raise $1 million by next week.

“Yes, we all dodged a bullet with the storm surge, but it’s not great out there,” Hamman said. “So I’m asking you to give generously if you have the ability to.”

Donors can give at www.FloridaCommunity.com or text GIVESWFL to 444999.

Contributions are tax deductible. One hundred percent of the funds donated through the Southwest Florida Community Foundation will be used to provide emergency funds to directly help people in Southwest Florida.

Donors can choose the area of Southwest Florida they’d like their money to benefit.

 

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