Disaster Response United States Project #29731

FUEL RELIEF - HURRICANE IRMA

by Fuel Relief Fund

Project Report | Sep 22, 2017
THANKS for your support!

By Lidewij Honcharik | Project Leader

“We are on Big Pine in the Keys, we are among those whom received fuel. Thank you seems so inadequate. Because of you our tiny generator is running so we have medication safely chilled, as well as fuel for our tools to dig out. And fuel to get provisions. You are angels seriously changing and actually saving lives.”

“We rode out the storm here on Sugarloaf Key. One of the hardest hit keys that got the eye. We had already siphoned out all but 1 vehicle and were down to our last 5 gallons when your tankers showed up. I can't describe the relief and peace of mind it was knowing we could keep our generator running. Thank you so much for the fuel and work you are doing here. Y'all are truly doing good work. Thank you to everyone that put this together and made it happen.”

“You are angels. I am in the Keys in a completely devastated area. Fuel Relief Fund is here for us, giving us fuel... so we can get to friends, loved ones, so we can get provisions ...... so we can use our power tools and machines to dig out and help each other. We cried when you came to our car, we just couldn't believe our eyes when we saw the tanker on Big Pine. This is a fabulous organization with wonderful people. We can never repay you, we are forever grateful.”

Above are just a few comments out of the hundreds we received after our deployment following Hurricane Irma. Fuel Relief Fund was there giving away free fuel one day after the devastating hurricane hit mainland USA.

Thanks to the incredible support of our donors and our partner GlobalGiving, we were able to help thousands of people receive free fuel.

In Naples, FL we initially fueled the generators and vehicles for hard hit fire departments and first responders so they could perform their duties. We then gave away fuel to families and individuals so they could run their generators and have transportation.

In the FL Keys, we were present in Sugerloaf, Summerland, and Big Pine Key. The mayor recognized the importance of our work and helped us set up locations, where we assisted thousands with the ability to run their generators and vehicles.

The whole team working for Fuel Relief Fund consisted of volunteers. These volunteers worked tirelessly all day in blistering heat. Our gratitude goes out to them as well. All funds received through GlobalGiving were used to purchase and give away around 35,000 gallons of fuel.

Unfortunately, mother nature is not finished. Fuel Relief Fund is getting ready to deploy with a team of volunteers to assist by providing fuel to victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

THANKS again for the tremendous support and your confidence in our organization.

The Fuel Relief Fund Team and Executive Board

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Sep 18, 2017
FUEL SAVED LIVES - in Florida

By Lidewij Honcharik | Project Leader

It goes without saying the need for fuel has been staggering!

With your help and financial support Fuel Relief Fund has been able to give away free fuel to thousands and thus saved lives!

When Fuel Relief Fund arrived in Naples FL, we were greeted with open arms by the Collier County Sheriff’s department. The department was in dire need of diesel for their own generator, emergency vehicles, and fire trucks.

4.5 to 6 million people in FL were without power. Our volunteers had a difficult time describing the conditions."It is very hot and without working generators, people are without lights, without air conditioning, refrigerators cannot cool food and milk. The temperatures are ranging from warm to stifling! People are becoming desperate and are unable to access help or drive to saver places."

Fuel Relief Fund volunteers started giving away free fuel in five gallon cans. After hours of fueling those first responders, they opened up to the public.The line was over a half mile long and the wait over 3 hours in this hot weather. People were so low on fuel they had to push their cars to make it to our tanker trucks. Even under these circumstances all recipients have been incredibly grateful. FRF continued their effort in Naples for several days in various locations. Each and every day the lines were incredibly long and people waited for hours for only a few gallons of fuel.

Then two of the tanker trucks were able to move to the lower Florida Keys. One tanker is staged in Summerland Key and the other is providing free fuel on Pine Key. Our motto "Fuel Saves Lives" is very accurate. So many people in line have told us so. Men and women have cried in our arms, because they are so grateful for what we are providing. Below are just a few comments we have received from recipients of free fuel.

"Thank you so much. Words cannot even begin to express how grateful I am that I got gas today from you guys in Naples, FL. The situation is DESPERATE here with very little gas at a few stations and today lines 2-3 miles long at stations w gas and people fighting. Things are dire and so many elderly people and sick people here need gas to LIVE. Gas powers generators which allow them to use oxygen machines, get dialysis, cool insulin, etc. I was in white SUV w my bestie a nurse, you gave us half tank in car and 5 gallons in container that went to HELP PEOPLE LIVE. Thank you soooo much"

"FRF came to our town after Hurricane Irma to provide gas for first responders AND family members. Amazing volunteers working in the blistering heat all day still smiling and unbelievably friendly. Thank you soooo much!!!"

"Hands down this is one of the most kindness relief in time of need - Day 5 after Hurricane Irma in the Lower Keys of Florida. Thank you so much for your generosity. Giving away tons of gasoline to local residents is a priceless gesture"

To date we have given away over 25,000 gallons of fuel and volunteers have been working around the clock. Fuel is still not available and with your support we can continue our efforts to save lives by giving away free fuel.

THANKS

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