Santa Rosa Beach Wildfire: Family Assistance

[Teresa]

Caring & Sharing of South Walton
May 7, 2020

We are working with Walton County Emergency Management to establish a plan to assist families affected by the Musset Bayou Wild Fire. If you have resources to share, please email humanservices@waltoncountyem.org. They are compiling a list and will reach out as they learn what the community needs most at this time.

If you, or someone you know, lost their home last night and need access to food, clothing, or hygiene products, please email carly@caringandsharingsowal.org or call 850-267-2866 to schedule a time to meet at Caring and Sharing. We are able to help meet these immediate needs!

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted. #SoWalStrong

 

[Teresa]

Walton County Emergency Management
May 7

Food Donations Procedure

We have many people that would like to assist with food donation. At this current time, we do not need any additional food.

If you would like to be part of providing food for our first responders, please take note of the following:

1. Please do not show up on site with food. Due to the lack of coordination, much of this food IS BEING DISCARDED due to the amount received and the fact it can not be kept properly.

2. No homemade food donations can be accepted.

3. All requests to participate in the feeding of our first responders, please send your willingness to participate to the Emergency Operations Center via email to wcem@waltoncountyfl.com.

We are so proud of our community for coming together during this time, but it is important that everything is coordinated properly to ensure that the the kindness does not go to waste.

 

[Teresa]

Matrix COC

As many of you know, The Matrix is actively responding to the Mussett Bayou Wildfire, while also managing the impacts of COVID-19. Last night, we had the opportunity to feed over 400 first responders working to keep our community safe. This would have NOT been possible without our friends at Destiny Worship Center, Waterburger of South Walton and United Way Emerald Coast. THANK YOU for your quick thinking and selfless hearts during this uncertain time.

In addition, we are working with the survivors to meet their essential needs and ensure both their physical and mental health are provided for during this critical time.

For those asking how you can help support the families impacted by these fires, please click the "donate" button below or visit our website: Donate

Matrix COC

 

[Teresa]

Good News United Methodist Church

Fire Relief Update: We are working to quickly get funds to families impacted by yesterday's fires.

You can give at: Donate

If you are in need or know someone who is contact kristi@goodnewsumc.net

We are not accepting donations of physical goods at this time.

Be in prayer for our community as we aim to shine brighter and make sure that not one person in our community feels like they are going through this alone.

 

[Teresa]

South Walton High School
Drive Thru Food Distribution
Friday May 8 @ 11am



Join United Way Emerald Coast and their community partners, this Friday, May 8 for a drive-thru food distribution. United Way encourages those in need to participate in this food distribution opportunity at South Walton High School. The drive-thru distribution is first come, first served; one box per vehicle. Participants will be asked to remain in their car, and open their trunk for delivery.

Additionally, participants will be asked to show identification through their window to aid in the determination of future distributions. This distribution will begin at 11am and go until supplies last.

Thank you: Feeding the Gulf Coast, Walton County School District, Florida, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast!

 

[Teresa]

Donations

Items such as gently used clothing, bottled water, nonperishable food, diapers and toiletries can also be donated locally at Van R. Butler Elementary over the next several days.

Van R. Butler Elementary Drop-Off
6694 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Friday, May 8th from 8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday, May 9th from 9:00am - 1:00pm
Monday, May 11th from 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday, May 12th from 8:00am - 5:00pm

 

[Teresa]

Residence Inn Sandestin at Grand Boulevard

Hello Friends of Residence Inn Sandestin at Grand Boulevard,

You may or may not have heard about the devastating fire that began yesterday afternoon 5 miles to the east of our hotel in Santa Rosa Beach. Over 600 acres of land and several dozen homes have been lost or seriously damaged here in South Walton. While we are currently still closed to the public, last night we opened nearly 40 rooms to provide shelter for evacuees and their pets at no charge. We are privileged to be in a position to help our community and our hearts are broken for our friends and neighbors who have lost their homes.

Due to COVID-19, Walton County Emergency Management is not able to accept donation drop-offs or volunteers, but if you would like to help with online donations, they are directing people to visit the Matrix COC Facebook page or www.matrixcoc.org.

A huge thank you to the first responders, firefighters, and all who are keeping South Walton safe. Our gratitude is also extended to our team members who volunteered to come in last night to help their community.

If you, your family, or pets have been displaced from the fire, or if you know of someone in need of help please reach out to our hotel team so we can assist.

Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard

 

[Teresa]

Alaqua Animal Refuge
Free Boarding for Pets
Freeport Florida

850-880-6399

Alaqua Animal Refuge

 

[Teresa]

United Way Emerald Coast
Facebook updates: United Way Emerald Coast

We're working with some AMAZING community partners to host a drive-thru food distribution THIS Friday (5/8). If you can benefit from this event, please visit us at South Walton High School to pick up a box of food for your family. First come, first served; one box per vehicle. 11am until supplies last.

Thank you to our community partners: Feeding the Gulf Coast, Boys And Girls Club Of The Emerald Coast, and Walton County School District, Florida!

 

[Teresa]

Matrix COC Brings 40,000 Pounds of Food for Distribution to Those in Need from COVID-19

Thursday, May 6, 2020 – The Matrix Community Outreach Center (COC), in partnership with Farm Share and multiple community partners, will be receiving a semi-truck filled with 40,000 pounds of perishable and non-perishable food items to be distributed by the Matrix COC at Gene Hurley Park.

Gene Hurley Park – Saturday, May 9th beginning at 9 am
965 Gene Hurley Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
First come, First Serve. Pick-up will allow for 2 families per vehicle.

“This distribution provides us with another opportunity to continue our commitment towards helping serve our community,” said Executive Director Candy Nowling. “This distribution will help serve those who are in need and have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

On behalf of The Matrix COC, we want to extend a sincere thanks Walton County Emergency Management, DeFuniak Springs Police Department, South Walton Utility, Farm Share, Destin Harvest, Bigun's Hope, Salvation Army, Walton County School District, and Walton County CERT.

We are a 501©3 nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the physical, mental and spiritual needs of men, women and child, with the emphasis on special interest groups like the homeless, veterans, senior citizens and economically disadvantaged youth. The Matrix works directly with individuals, churches, businesses, agencies and other organization to bridge the gap between the needs and resources. For more information, please visit our website, www.matrixcoc.org.