Fort Myers Beach neighbors hold emotional vigil honoring victims, survivors of Hurricane Ian

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People hug each other at a vigil for the victims and survivors of Hurricane Ian on Fort Myers Beach, Sunday, October 30, 2022. Credit: WINK News

On Sunday evening, the Fort Myers Beach community came together to honor the victims and survivors of Hurricane Ian with an emotional candlelight vigil.

Hundreds of people walked across the bridge to the island and ended up at Times Square for the candlelit vigil, where the attendees shared an outpouring of hugs, tears, smiles and hope.

“Love—it’s love—it’s all we need right now,” said Michelle Pododer.

“It’s just all gone,” said Ashley Delgato. “Yeah, it was emotional.”

People walk across the bridge to Fort Myers Beach for a candlelight vigil, Sunday, October 30, 2022. Credit: WINK News

“It was pretty hard,” said her Kloe Delgato.

“It was a magical, family-friendly place,” said Dwayne and Courtney Leroux. “You don’t find it anywhere. We’ve traveled all over this country, and this is something very special.”

Many of the hundreds of people who went to Fort Myers Beach for the vigil told WINK News they were coming together not just as community members, but as members of a huge family.

“As long as we’re together, we got each other’s backs… nothing’s gonna stop Fort Myers Beach,” Pododer said.

“We got married at Bowditch Park and then went over to Sunset Beach Grill for our wedding dinner, and we gave cake to the whole restaurant, and it’s just all gone,” Ashley Delgato said.

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