$2 Million From Disaster Fund Awarded to Teachers Affected by Ian

FORT MYERS (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that $2 million from the Florida Disaster Fund would be distributed to teachers who were affected by Hurricane Ian.

The governor said the donations will help each district’s teachers who are displaced or have other needs including home repair and transportation.

“I ran into teachers, really within a few days of the storm that were already working to get the kids back in school and some of them didn’t even have their own houses left,” DeSantis said. “And yet they’re worried about other people’s kids.”

The money would be distributed through local education foundations in the six hardest hit counties: Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Collier, DeSoto and Hardee counties.

The governor expects the Florida Disaster Fund will raise more than $50 million in the near future. So far $7 million has been awarded from the fund.

$2 Million Set Aside for First Responders to Recover From Hurricane Ian

Earlier this month, the governor announced that $2 million from the Florida Disaster Fund would go towards helping first responders recover from Hurricane Ian.

“You may have a firefighter out there helping someone get out of their damaged home. That firefighter’s home may have been destroyed too,” DeSantis said. “A police officer is out there helping helping you with something that you have had to deal with. They may be suffering the same or more back at their place.”

The Florida Sheriff’s Association, Florida PBA, Florida Fraternal Order of Police and the Florida Professional Firefighters Association each received $500,000.

To contribute, visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.