Warehouse in Green Cove Springs stocking donations for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria

The Sunshine State has dedicated resources to Puerto Rico to help those impacted by Hurricane Maria.

The Florida Air National Guard has coordinated more than 2,500 flights, bringing more than 12,000 personnel and more than 15,000 tons of cargo in support of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Military bases across the country and Jacksonville volunteers are doing their part to help victims by collecting donation items.

FEMA volunteer liaison Steve Irwin said the warehouse in Green Cove Springs was assembled to be a checkpoint for items before they are shipped to Puerto Rico.

“That way it wouldn’t have to stay on the military bases for a long period of time,” Irwin said. “It can come here and it can be repackaged sorted and inventoried and develop a pull response instead of a push response.”

Irwin hopes that by pulling the right resources, the United States can help fulfill the request for needed items issued by Puerto Rico’s first lady.

Action News Jax First Alert Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh said it can take years for some communities to fully recover from the devastation.

“A season that included 17 named storms, 10 were actual hurricanes and 6 of those were major storms, cat 3 or stronger,” Buresh said.

Irwin said they are not accepting donations from citizens.

Instead, he recommends people donate to local nonprofits or donate cash to organizations who will distribute that money to those impacted.

“That helps the economy to get back on their feet and it serves the people at the same time,” Irwin said.

Below the information on the warehouse attributable to Daniel Llargues FEMA Spokesperson:

FEMA set up a warehouse in southern Florida for donations collected by a military base or governor in support of survivors of Hurricanes Irma & Maria in the Caribbean. The warehouse is managed by  Adventist Community Services Disaster Response volunteers with support from two FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons.  In addition, a team of 8 AmeriCorps members supported the warehouse under a FEMA Mission Assignment for the first 30 days. Military installations, and State Governors with stockpiles of donations are responsible for the transportation of their donated items to the Florida warehouse. Shipping of donations from the warehouse will be provided by FEMA only if there is a need expressed by recipients in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Cox Media Group