UW Combined Fund Drive

October 10, 2024

Help the victims of Hurricane Milton recover

Less than two weeks after being strafed by Hurricane Helene before its destructive path traveled north, the midsection of Florida took a direct hit from Hurricane Milton Wednesday night.

Milton intensified rapidly over the warming Gulf of Mexico before making landfall as a Category 3 storm near the population centers of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, home to more than three million people. The storm left massive wind damage, widespread power outages and coastal flooding before tearing a path of destruction across the state.

Though millions took shelter or evacuated to safe locations to minimize the death toll, the devastation is widespread. Nearly three million people were without power and hundreds of buildings have been damaged or destroyed from storm surge, wind and tornadoes. And, with FEMA’s resources stretched thin in response to the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Helene, the immediate need for medical and disaster relief supplies is critical.

You can help.

Consider making a one-time gift or setting up a monthly payroll deduction through the UWCFD to support one of our member organizations actively responding in the aftermath of Hurricanes Milton and Helene:

AmeriCares (charity code 0315518), a health-focused relief and development organization, is responding to the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton with medicines, relief supplies and emergency response teams.

Project HOPE (charity code 0316050) is responding to help people impacted by the hurricanes. Your gift today helps their teams prepare for emergencies and continue lifesaving work around the world.

The Salvation Army (charity code 1478728) is preparing field kitchens and other relief supplies, including food, clothing, tarps and clean-up kits to help along the path of the hurricanes.

American Red Cross (charity code 0337346) is working around the clock with our partners to provide help to people struggling with the heartbreaking damage left behind by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Direct Relief (charity code 0316325) is mobilizing critical resources to support the healthcare needs of communities in Florida on top of the initial $1 million in funding committed to Hurricane Helene relief efforts and $100 million+ medical inventory available for medical needs in the region.

International Medical Corps (charity code 1479246) delivers vital healthcare services and training to help those affected by conflict, disaster and disease, often in difficult and dangerous environments such as the recent hurricanes.

Save the Children (charity code 0315475) is mobilizing its emergency response team to meet the most urgent needs of children most impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Humane Society Disaster Relief (charity code 0314983) is dispatching its Animal Rescue and Response team to answer the call in all large-scale emergencies, including hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes and power outages.