Ahead of Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, Newtown residents Sheila and Johnnie Cantrell evacuated to wait out the storms. A health issue requires Johnnie, 70, to have an oxygen tank, so no matter the category of storm, the Cantrells retreat to a safe shelter to ensure they don’t lose power.

“When we came back, we saw the porch and roof were torn up,” Sheila, 65, says. “It wasn’t unlivable, but it needed to be repaired, especially if this year looks anything like last year did.”

The Cantrells, who have owned their home for more than 25 years, couldn’t afford to have them fixed. “Everybody wants to own their home, but it's so expensive,” Sheila says. That’s when their niece told them about Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, an organization that provides free critical repairs and safety upgrades before and after big storms. Thanks to a grant from United Way Suncoast and assistance from the Community Foundation of Sarasota, the organization has fortified 15 roofs in Sarasota County so far, and it’s making repairs and improvements in Charlotte and DeSoto Counties, too. “It was easy to apply,” Sheila says. “I did everything online, with help from my kids, and Rebuilding Together walked us through the whole process.”

“Word of mouth is one of the key ways for communities to find out about Rebuilding Together,” says Caila Anderson, the organization’s vice president of marketing and communications. And Rebuilding Together is proactive about helping the community. “If we don’t think we’ve received enough applications from our target neighborhoods, we’ll start knocking on doors,” Anderson says.

Sheila’s fingers are crossed for a gentle 2025 hurricane season. But thanks to help from Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, she says, “no matter what, I know we’re going to be OK for a while.”