Ongoing hurricane relief efforts support faculty, staff and students in Panhandle

When Hurricane Michael struck the Florida Panhandle, many UF/IFAS faculty, staff and students’ homes were destroyed or badly damaged. Donations continue to be accepted via Aid-a-Gator, UF’s emergency fund for faculty, staff and students, with nearly $15,000 raised in recent weeks. In addition, UF/IFAS has established a hurricane relief site with opportunities for those who wish to help to provide donations and/or volunteer.

UF/IFAS Extension faculty and staff have worked hard in the weeks following the hurricane to assist with emergency management operations, recovery activities, agricultural impact assessments and damage reports, as well as provide help to fellow Floridians in need. Production losses will total $158 million for Florida’s agricultural industries in the 2018–19 growing season, according to UF/IFAS economists. You can learn more about the impacts and recovery efforts by visiting the IFAS website.

Many faculty and staff came to the UF Benefits and Wellness Fair with donations of goods requested by their colleagues in IFAS. Thanks especially to representatives from Facilities Services and the UF Racing Laboratory, both of whom brought large crates of items collected to help those in need.

If you would still like to donate, it’s not too late. Email icsadmin@ifas.ufl.edu for information on where you can drop off goods. UF’s Center for Precollegiate Education and Training is also conducting a school supply drive for schools in the Panhandle that were impacted. If you would like to donate supplies, you can visit the UF CPET office in 331 Yon Hall or contact Erin Mack at emack47@cpet.ufl.edu.