As the official start of the 2025 hurricane season looms, Rebuilding Together Greater Florida (RTGFL) is taking proactive steps to ensure Tampa Bay residents are as prepared as possible. On May 28th, in a powerful demonstration of our commitment, we held a news conference in St. Petersburg at the home of Mei Hillard, highlighting the crucial link between resilient homes and community safety.

The event served as the official kickoff of our hurricane season preparedness efforts, and we made a significant announcement that resonated deeply. RTGFL will be undertaking over $30,000 worth of vital repairs to Mei Hillard’s home, addressing damage sustained during last year’s hurricane season. This includes not only fixing the previous damage but also strategically replacing her windows and front door to significantly enhance the home’s resilience against future storms.

This impactful project at Mei’s home is part of a larger effort by RTGFL in Pinellas County, where we have already completed or are currently working on repairs for approximately 50 homes. These projects encompass a range of crucial work, including mucking and gutting, roof repairs, flooring, drywall installation, and other essential fixes to restore safety and stability for homeowners.

During the news conference, we also emphasized that our support extends beyond current projects. We are still actively accepting applications from residents in need of repair work resulting from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. If your home has been impacted by these storms, we encourage you to reach out and apply for assistance through our website: RTGFL.org/get-help.

The theme of the May 28th event was clear: resilience is paramount. Representatives from Rebuilding Together Greater Florida and our community partners spoke passionately about the urgent need to fortify homes before hurricane season strikes. By investing in proactive repairs, particularly for vulnerable homeowners, seniors, and families with special needs, we are working to build stronger, more protected neighborhoods.

Mei Hillard, a longtime supporter of vulnerable families herself, shared her personal experience and gratitude. Her home, where she lives with her adult son, suffered significant flood damage during recent hurricanes. We will be providing critical repairs, including addressing subfloor instability with flooring replacement, replacing damaged windows and baseboards, repairing her bathroom vanity, and ensuring essential safety measures like smoke alarm installation are in place.

“At Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, resilience means more than weathering the storm—it means preparing for it,” stated Jose Garcia, CEO of Rebuilding Together Greater Florida. “This event underscores the critical importance of proactive home repairs, especially for vulnerable homeowners, seniors, and families with special needs. By fortifying homes now, we’re not only safeguarding lives but also reinforcing the strength and unity of our communities.”

For Mei, receiving this support from an organization she admires is deeply meaningful. “I’ve always believed in showing up for our community,” she said. “Now, I’m grateful that Rebuilding Together is showing up for me. I’m excited to help share their mission with my neighbors.”

Mei’s story is not an isolated one. We are also actively involved in providing repair work for another St. Petersburg resident, Carol Williams. Hurricanes Helene and Milton left Carol’s family home damaged and unlivable, leading her to seek help from Rebuilding Together. For Carol, the work we do goes beyond just fixing physical structures; it’s about restoring a sense of safety, dignity, and the possibility of having a home again.

This kickoff event in St. Petersburg marks the first in a series of hurricane-related initiatives that Rebuilding Together Greater Florida will be hosting throughout the summer across our service area, including Tampa, Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Orlando. Through collaborative efforts with community residents and local leaders, we remain dedicated to identifying critical needs and rebuilding safe, healthy, and resilient homes and neighborhoods throughout Greater Florida.

If you or someone you know in the Tampa Bay area needs assistance with hurricane-related home repairs from Hurricanes Helene or Milton, please visit RTGFL.org/get-help to learn more and apply. Together, we can build a more resilient future for our communities.