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Members of the South Florida Search and Rescue team search for survivors in the destruction left after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. | Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

How to Help Victims of Hurricane Michael

Categories: Fundraiser, Local,

October 15, 2018,

This last week, Florida’s Panhandle was devastatingly ravaged by Hurricane Michael, one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the continental United States. What originally appeared to be a tropical storm, Michael strengthened quickly and made landfall on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, in Mexico Beach as a Category 4 hurricane, then brought heavy rain and winds to Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas.

With the damages being so close to home for us and many across the country seeking ways they can help, we’ve gathered a list of relief efforts from near or far that will directly aid those in need and to rebuild the cities of Panama City, Mexico Beach, Port Saint Joe, Youngstown, Blountstown, Callaway, Lynn Haven, Marianna, and more.

: In this image released by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a CBP flight crew conducts search and rescue operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael that left a swath of destruction across the area near Panama City, Florida, on October 11, 2018. | Photo by Glenn Fawcett/US Customs and Border Protection/AFP/Getty Images

: Homes and businesses along US 98 are left in devastation by Hurricane Michael on October 12, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. | Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images

: In this aerial view, storm damaged boats are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on October 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. | Photo by Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Supplies needed

Hygiene and Health:

Baby/body wipes
Shampoo and conditioner
Deodorant
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Feminine hygiene products
Adult diapers
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Disinfectant ointment
Aspirin/ibuprofen
Pedialyte
Band-aids
Toilet paper
First-aid kits
Soap
Hand sanitizer

Home Improvement and Hardware:

Batteries (all sizes)
Flashlights
Generators
Fuel
Tarps
Tarps with roof tabs
Shovels

Food and Water:

Can openers
Canned food with pop tops
Non-perishable food items
Baby formula
Water jugs and bottles
Gatorade

Baby:

Diapers
Baby formula
Pacifiers/teething items
Baby wipes
Bottles
Baby food
Baby soap

Pets:

Dog and cat food

Cleaning:

Contractor trash bags
Bleach
Cleaning cloths
High quality breathing masks
Heavy duty gloves/rubber gloves
Brooms

: The overhang of a gas station is toppled over in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on October 11, 2018 in Inlet Beach, Florida. | Photo by Emily Kask/AFP/Getty Images

: A car is seen caught in flood water after category 4 Hurricane Michael made land fall along the Florida panhandle, on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City, FL. | Photo by Jabin Botsford—The Washington Post/Getty Images

: People look on at a damaged store after Hurricane Michael passed through on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City, FL. | Photo by Joe Raedle—Getty Images

If you live locally along the Emerald Coast and would like to donate or volunteer to Northwest Florida relief efforts, here is a list of drop-off sites.

Acme Oyster House in Miramar Beach
Berkshire Hathaway in Watercolor Crossings
Chapel at the Beach in Rosemary Beach
ConvoyofHope.org, volunteer teams of 10-20
Davis Properties in Seagrove Beach
Destin Commons in Destin
Destiny Worship Center Campuses in Destin, Freeport, and Panama City Beach
DKM Custom Homes in Miramar Beach
ECAR Office in Santa Rosa Beach
Elmore’s Landing in Santa Rosa Beach
Food for Thought Outreach in Santa Rosa Beach and Destin
Good News United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa Beach
Grayton Beer Company in Santa Rosa Beach
Helen McCall Park in Santa Rosa Beach
Hilary & Reverie in Inlet Beach
The Hub 30-A
Idyll Hounds Brewing Company in Santa Rosa Beach
Impulse Church in Miramar Beach
Legendary Marina in Destin
Lou Lou Beans in Freeport
Louis Louis in Santa Rosa Beach
Ohana School in 30Avenue
Regional Utilities in Santa Rosa Beach
Resolute Martial Arts & Family Fitness in Destin
Southern Choice Properties in Defuniak Springs
Seaside
St. Rita’s Church in Santa Rosa Beach
Stinky’s Bait Shop in Dune Allen Beach
Sunrise Coffee in Gulf Place
The Matrix Community Outreach Center in Defuniak Springs
30A Local Properties in Grayton Beach
Tracery Interiors in Inlet Beach
U-Haul in Santa Rosa Beach
Uhlfelder Law Office in Grayton Beach
Point Washington United Methodist Church in Point Washington
Walton Area Chamber of Commerce in Santa Rosa Beach
What’s Up Dog in Miramar Beach

: In this image released by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a CBP flight crew conducts search and rescue operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael that left a swath of destruction across the area near Panama City, Florida, on October 11, 2018. | Photo by Glenn Fawcett / US Customs and Border Protection / AFP/ Getty Images

: The eye of Hurricane Michael is seen above Florida. | Photo by NASA/AP/Shutterstock

If you don’t live in the Northwest Florida area and would like to donate, please visit the links here:

In a small effort to help, VIE will donate a portion of profits to the relief effort monthly for the next year through the newly created VIE Foundation. Thank you to all those who have donated and volunteered so far across the area. From our founder/president, Lisa Burwell: “We are all in this together, and with our strong sense of community and by the Grace of God, we will pull through this!”