Building Resilience: A Community United for Hurricane Preparedness
In a powerful display of community collaboration and resilience, Rebuilding Together Greater Florida (RTGF), in partnership with United Way of Central Florida (UWCF), hosted a hurricane kit packing event and press conference at the United Way of Central Florida headquarters in Lakeland.
Community leaders and volunteers, including a dedicated team from Westlake Epoxy, came together to assemble 150 hurricane preparedness kits for vulnerable Central Florida residents. These kits are a vital resource as Florida enters another hurricane season—especially for families still recovering from the devastating impact of the 2024 hurricane season.
During the event, Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo surprised United Way of Central Florida CEO Christina Criser Jackson with the Excellence in Volunteering Award, a prestigious statewide recognition celebrating UWCF’s exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to serving the community in times of crisis.
“This award is a testament to the power of partnership and the spirit of service that defines Central Florida,” said Christina Criser Jackson, President & CEO of United Way of Central Florida. “We are proud to stand together today with our partners from Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, GiveWell Community Foundation, and the broader community to support disaster relief and recovery in our community.”
The press conference emphasized the importance of long-term disaster recovery and the collaborative efforts driving it forward. $100,000 in funding from the United Community Relief Fund (UCRF) was awarded to RTGF to support critical home repairs for up to 14 homes impacted by Hurricane Milton in Lakeland.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, UWCF coordinated a massive relief effort across Polk County, including 738 pallets of water (over 55,000 cases), 502 pallets of MREs (over 24,000 cases), 2.1 million meals distributed, 5,250 tarps provided, and nearly 2,000 disaster-related calls and texts answered through 211. These efforts have now transitioned from emergency response to long-term recovery, thanks to new funding and continued community support.
Lakeland City Commissioner Guy Lalonde also took the stage to commend RTGF and UWCF for their incredible partnership with the City of Lakeland. He also recognized the city’s new Emergency Management Director, reinforcing the city’s commitment to preparedness and resilience.
