Hurricane Michael Survivors Need Help From Volunteers

Workers with aid organization World Renew will be in Bay County to hear from Hurricane Michael survivors what their needs are so they can get help.

World Renew workers--also known as The Green Shirts--will be at three locations May 6 through May 17 to talk with Bay County residents. Once information is gathered on needs that have gone unmet six months after the storm, that data will be shared with Rebuild Bay County, a long-term disaster recovery organization and umbrella group for numerous non-government service agencies.

"We can take that information and use it to serve the needs of our community," said Habitat for Humanity Bay County community outreach director Michael Martin.

Along with talking to survivors at the three locations, World Renew volunteers may also be working door-to-door in affected areas, a news release stated. Residents of Mexico Beach and anyone unable to make it to one of the locations is asked to call 850-319-3643 to schedule a volunteer to visit them, according to the release.

"This information will be vital for us to categorize our community into a list of needs so we can handle it in an efficient manner," said Martin.

The information could also be used for grant money and funding, said Martin.

Over half a year after the Category 5 storm hit in October, survivors still face a number of issues, including high housing costs and delayed home repairs due to low or slow insurance payments. Organizations have stepped in to help but the need is still great.

According to the World Renew website, their mission is "compelled by God's deep passion for justice & mercy, we join communities around the world to renew hope, reconcile lives, and restore creation."

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