FGCU students helping Irma evacuees still in shelters

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FORT MYERS, Fla. There are still hundreds of people left in Hurricane Irma shelters across Southwest Florida shelters, according to the American Red Cross.

Florida Gulf Coast University students are working to ensure they’re not forgotten.

“When devastation hits Florida, Floridians band together to help out,” said Max Ortengren, one of a group of students who packed hygiene supply kits Tuesday for the 346 people remaining in shelters.

The effort grew out of a class project.

“We had to come up with an idea of how we wanted to give back to the community,” junior Chelsea Mills said.

Organizers secured $2,000 in funding from the FGCU Foundation, enough to supply an estimated 200-250 kits full of mouthwash, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and other items.

“Just personal things that men and women need on a daily basis, something that’s considered a necessity,” Mills said. “We all need them, and we wanted to give them the help we can and send out a message saying, ‘We’re here, we want to help.'”

The students will turn the kits over to the Red Cross, which will distribute them.

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