The Partnership Award

American Red Cross honors Catholic Charities of Lee County

 

Fort Myers—The American Red Cross of Lee County awarded Catholic Charities of Lee County with The Partnership Award at their annual meeting on June 18. Red Cross Board of Director Susan Nasworthy presented the award to Catholic Charities of Lee County Director Christine Nolan for service to victims of Tropical Storm Fay.

 

The Red Cross recognized the agency for their ongoing commitment and community partnership during the aftermath of the storm that caused extensive flooding in many low-income neighborhoods. More than 600 people were displaced by the storm and moved to a shelter where they lived for seven weeks.

 

“This was a storm that took us by surprise,” said Red Cross of Lee County Executive Director Heidi Ruster. “The community really needed to come together to make it happen.”

 

“How people work together during a disaster really defines who we are as a community. The level of concern and commitment everybody felt for these families was very evident,” said Nolan of Catholic Charities.

 

Catholic Charities of Lee County assisted in running the Red Cross Shelter set up in Estero. “We offered language skills and cultural knowledge of the population that was affected by the storm,” Nolan said. “There were very few problems at the shelter where people were living side by side for a long period of time. It ran smoothly.”

 

According to Nolan, the initial response to victims came from Father Stanislaw Strycharz of St. Leo Parish in Bonita Springs. “The weekend right after the storm, Father Stan told parishioners that there would be no collection but instead he wanted them to go out and get necessary items to bring to the parish center for victims of the storm,” said Nolan. Victims were initially housed at the parish until the Red Cross opened an official shelter. The parishioners offered victims food and clothing as well.

 

At the Red Cross shelter, through a short-term contract from the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Catholic Charities offered counseling support to the victims who were grieving the loss of their homes, belongings and community. 

 

Catholic Charities, along with the Salvation Army, Lutheran Services and Bonita Springs Amigos Center, also worked together to find affordable housing for the displaced Tropical Storm Fay victims living in the shelter. Funding from the United Way of Lee County and the Southwest Florida Community Foundation of Lee County also was dispensed through Catholic Charities to help victims resettle into permanent housing.

 

“It was hard work, but it was needed and we all made a difference,” said Ruster of the Red Cross.

 

“There was a lot of collaboration that happened in Lee County to help these families get back on their feet,” said Nolan. “The agencies and organizations that worked together to help the flood victims were a cohesive group. We strove to make sure everyone found a new home and regained some sense of peace and stability.”

 

For more information about Catholic Charities of Lee County, please call 239-334-4007.

 

Photo: Red Cross of Lee County Board of Director Member Susan Nasworthy (right) presented Catholic Charities of Lee County Director Christine Nolan with The Partnership Award.