Images of hurricane aftermath and what we’ve done

Beginnings

From Jacksonville With Love (FJWL) was formed by Michael and Mark Smith, concerned brothers who wanted to help, in September 2005 shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit. They set up a drop site in Neptune Beach, Florida and then one in Ponte Vedra, Florida to provide locations for neighboring residents to donate goods. Within just a few weeks, FJWL had sent two 24-foot box trucks and nine tractor-trailer loads of goods and supplies into some of the areas ravaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The organization served over 15,000 meals and reached over 1500 children with donated toys and comfort cards. The comfort cards came from a project coordinated by Karen Sadler of ArtLife Productions; Jacksonville children from tots to teens created hundreds of comfort cards – made by kids for kids to help them heal.

By the time Hurricane Wilma had hit in October 2005, FJWL’s focus had been refined to providing support for first responders and affected children. Experiences following the “Three Deadly Sisters” confirmed that the services provided by FJWL were needed and valued, not only by affected children and relief workers, but also by citizens who were looking for an accessible outlet that gave them a means to help in the aftermath of disaster.