toys for tots charlotte county

Toys for Tots in Lee County helping SWFL families amid financial difficulties

Hurricane Ian’s recovery combined with record-high inflation has made it increasingly difficult for parents to buy gifts for their children. You can find Oscar Rauda and Robert Raybuck, from Toys for Tots in Lee County, at a storage facility in Cape Coral. They’re collecting toys and getting ready to hand them out to families and […]

WINK News helps a woman apply for temporary housing using Unite Florida

There are many people who need temporary housing after Hurricane Ian and on Monday Florida rolled out Unite Florida which is the first state-wide temporary housing program. Plenty of Floridians are not even aware the program exists to help them recover from the storm. Cheryl Garniss lost her home during the hurricane. Since then, her […]

Farmer Joe’s hoping to open for the first time since Ian

Even while closed, Farmer Joe’s has significantly helped relief efforts in Cape Coral since Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida. The sign above the grocery store says “Closed for repairs” and “God bless Cape Coral” which is making residents question what’s next for the store. Farmer Joe’s owner, Lee Snyder told WINK News the damage was […]

Parents of students speak at Lee County school board meeting

On Tuesday night, the Lee County school board held a meeting for parents, students, and teachers of the schools that received the most damage can tell the board how they feel. Students, like Casey and Dylan, and their parents love Fort Myers Beach Elementary. “We love it, and we miss it, and we want it […]

FEMA extending application deadline for Ian Federal Disaster Assistance

FEMA has extended the deadline to apply for Hurricane Ian federal disaster assistance to Jan. 12, 2023. According to FEMA, after the State of Florida made the request, those who suffered damage to their property from Hurricane Ian will have more time to apply for assistance. FEMA extended the application deadline for residents in Brevard, […]

SHIP program opens helping Cape Coral residents cover insurance deductibles

Cape Coral residents were lining up on Monday just for the chance to apply for the SHIP program to help residents rebuild after Ian, but only if they meet a few requirements. A new program, known as SHIP, can help people living in Cape Coral recover from Hurricane Ian’s damage. The program is designed to […]

website

New website launched by Lee County for Hurricane Ian Debris

Lee County launched a new Hurricane Ian Debris website to relay information effectively to residents. According to the Lee County government, the website will feature a one-stop location with tips, data, timelines, photos, videos, and other important information about Ian’s debris collection efforts. Visit the new Lee County Hurricane Ian Debris website by clicking here. […]

Applications open for Cape Coral’s Home Insurance Deductible Program

Another step towards relief from Hurricane Ian began Monday as SHIP applications opened in Cape Coral for those with damaged or destroyed homes. Governor Ron DeSantis has made the announcement that the six hardest hit counties will get their piece of $5,000,000 to help Ian victims fix their homes. Cape Coral opened applications to its […]

PeaceVision Hurricane Ian Recovery Concert in downtown Fort Myers

Sunday evening people are gathering for the PeaceVision Hurricane Ian Recovery Concert at the Caloosa Amphitheater in downtown Fort Myers. Despite the rain and overcast, people came and enjoyed the concert and fundraiser which wrapped up by 6:30 p.m. The concert benefitted The Harry Chapin Foodbank, The Lee County Coalition, and Kimmie’s Recovery Zone. Both […]

The Cottages of Paradise Point on Fort Myers Beach reduced to an empty lot after Ian

The Cottages of Paradise Point have been on Fort Myers Beach for over 20 years, and now they’ve been demolished after Hurricane Ian. A site once filled with cottages transformed into a desolate empty lot after Hurricane Ian. Dennis and Lisa Greenspon told WINK News it would be too taxing to rebuild the area. They’re […]