Hurricane Michael had a devastating impact on Panama City and surrounding communities in the Panhandle. Both the Healthy Start Coalition and its FL MIECHV Parents as Teachers program serving Bay County are working hard to connect with families, after sustaining major damage among staff personally as well as to their offices. The Nurse-Family Partnership program serving Gadsden & Jackson Counties has also been impacted significantly.
To aid in recovery and support both staff and the families served by home visiting programs in these areas, we are providing the following suggestions for donations. Please share this information widely and consider supporting our Healthy Start, MIECHV, Healthy Families and other programs in their recovery.
The Junior League of Panama City operates an affiliate of the National Diaper Bank Network. They have organized a quick response to this emergency and working with local home visiting programs to address to families’ needs for basic supplies.
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The League also has a wish list through Amazon.
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The Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions, which administers FL MIECHV, is collecting air mattresses and port-a-cribs for distribution to families in affected areas. Contact Conesta Woodard (Cwoodard@hsmnetwork.org) for shipping information.
- Whole Child Leon has established a drop-off site in Tallahassee and is collecting donations of baby formula (pre-mixed), diapers and wipes. Drop off site is located at 1126 Lee Avenue and is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm. Contact Courtney Atkins at (850) 692-3134 for info. FAHSC will assist in getting these donations to affected sites.
- The Healthy Start Coalition of Bay, Franklin, Gulf is accepting direct donations for recovery supplies.
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- The Ounce of Prevention Fund and Healthy Families Florida is accepting direct donations to assist families impacted by the storm. The Ounce is providing a dollar for dollar match for donations.
DONATE HERE
Check the MIECHV website for additional updates and opportunities. Please keep the programs, their staff and participating families in your thoughts and prayers.