Beacon of Hope Pine Island

Samaritan Health and Wellness Center

They will be increasing the days of operation at the Beacon of Hope from every other Wednesday to every Wednesday beginning on November 6, 2024. This new schedule will run until the end of January 2025. We will offer primary medical care and mental health counseling to those living and working on Pine Island and in Matlacha who need these services. If you would like an appointment to see a nurse practitioner or mental health counselor, please call 239-360-7520. Indicate that you would like an appointment at the Beacon of Hope. The cost of a visit is $25, for both medical and mental health care, for this three month period of time.

Beacon of HOPE will have representatives on hand from the Red Cross & Providence Family Health to help with FEMA applications on Monday, October 28th from 9-5.  There will be computers available.  This will take place in the Beacon classroom.  Appointments are strongly recommended.  Call 239-283-5123

Providence  Family Life Center representatives are returning back to the Beacon of HOPE on Friday, November 1, 2024 to help Pine Island residents with FEMA applications   They will bring computers and will be at the Beacon of HOPE’s classroom from 9AM to 3PM.  Please call 239-283-5123 to schedule an appointment.  Appointments are highly recommended.

Courtesy of the American Red Cross, there are cases of water available to islanders in our parking lot (Oct 25).

The Beacon of Hope has received 2 more donations (Oct 23).

Ace Hardware donated various building supplies.

From a private donor: clothing, bedding, pillows, shoes, etc…
The green bins are not to be taken. In the Beacon parking lot

Disaster Assessment Volunteer Registration and details for all prospective team members Friday 10/25:

Ninety percent of the American Red Cross workforce are volunteers, and our work is only possible because of people like you.  Right now, more than ever, because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton we need more volunteers to help us help those affected by the tornados, flooding, and other impacts this storm caused in our own South Florida communities.  We can’t do it alone and we are asking you to turn your compassion into action! We are pleased to work with multiple community partners on the island to provide this service and request your support.

Will you join our amazing team of volunteers in delivering hope to our neighbors in need by signing up to volunteer for the following mission delivery assignment?  

Damage Assessment – Volunteers are needed to support damage assessment activities on Pine Island, Matlacha, Bokeelia, and St. James City.  Information collected is critical in providing a full picture of the damage within these communities and helps the Red Cross maintain a focus on efficient and client-focused service delivery.  *There will be Red Cross or rental cars for volunteers to ride in (if needed) after check-in and completion of a brief training session.

Reporting Location:

Pine Island Area Team Friday 10/25 at 9:00  @ Beacon of Hope Pine Island (Education Room)

Pre-registration is required. Please complete this as soon as possible so you are entered in the system. This will allow you to get the app and clearance needed to upload pictures and addresses from the impacted areas . To register for a shift, scan the QR Code or go to: Hurricane Milton Volunteer Registration  

Use the ‘Create A Red Cross ID’ section to complete some basic information; once your background check clears you will have access to view (on your volunteer Home Page) ‘Disaster Relief Operation – Volunteer Shifts’ to see all shifts open for registration—choose the Pine Island location.

For additional assistance, contact [email protected], or, by phone at 123-456-7890

Thank you for your support!

Click image to enlarge

Press Release (Oct 21) from Lee County Gov:

Lee County continues hosting temporary permitting offices
New site on Captiva Island to open Thursday
All temp locations help residents apply for permits for hurricane-damaged buildings

Fort Myers, FL, Oct. 21, 2024 – The Lee County Department of Community Development continues to operate temporary, remote permit offices in the county’s most affected areas. These offices have proved successful in assisting residents in unincorporated Lee County to apply for permits to repair existing buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

The locations are as follows:
• NEW – Captiva Island
     ◦ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24, at Sunshine Seafood Café, 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, FL, 33924.
• Island Park area
     ◦ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, at Rayma C. Page Elementary School, 17000 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL 33908.
     ◦ 70 residents were assisted at this location on its first day of service, which was Oct. 19.
• Pine Island
     ◦ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through the end of October at the Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922.
     ◦ 43 residents had been assisted at this location as of Oct. 18.

These remote locations have staff readily accessible to help residents navigate the permit process.

For Hurricane assistance please call 239-283-5123

The Beacon has Starlink! If you need internet access,
bring your phone or other device to the Beacon.

LCEC says PI is completely powered and GPIWA says no boil notices

The Beacon of Hope just received 5 more pallets of water. It is in front of the building. Please feel free to take whatever you need (Oct 21).

Beacon of Hope will have dehumidifiers and floor fans to LEND out to those Pine Island residents who need them.

The equipment must be returned to the Beacon. Residents of Pine Island must bring their drivers license. The equipment is for Pine Island residents and are on loan only. They can begin to get the equipment on Tuesday, October 22nd at 10:00 am. Quantities are limited. First come, first serve.

A private donation from a family in Michigan. New clothes, cleaning supplies, dog food, and personal items. Stop by if you are in need.

We just received five pallets of water donated by Home Depot (Oct 15).

Delivered to the Beacon from Cape Coral (Oct 14) . Thank you, Casey Reese, for organizing at the Sage on 47th drop off location!

The United Way delivered 80 cleaning kits & a pallet of water.

The Matlacha Fire Department brought more water.

The Beacon of Hope has gasoline. It has to be pumped and there is a 5 gallon limit

There are a couple of people at the Beacon to answer questions, and concerns, and take volunteers. We are trying to mitigate the impact to the Fire Station for volunteer groups & donation requests as well as needs to be heard. Any questions can be addressed to the Beacon as long as phone service is still available. Not all casework services may be available but we are here to do what we can. Representatives of the Greater Pine Island Emergency Task Force will be there.

Everyone interested in participating as a volunteer for disaster activities coordinated by the Greater Pine Island Emergency Task Force is encouraged to fill out a Volunteer Application, find out more information before & after a disaster, and to sign up for a volunteer shift.