Due to Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic impacts on Sarasota and Manatee counties’ barrier islands, The Patterson Foundation has initiated major support for two initiatives managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

The foundation will activate its challenge match of donating $100,000 for every $500,000 raised by the community for the longtime Season of Sharing initiative in order to help provide a financial bridge for those displaced from their homes or facing disruptions from work.

Just weeks after a separate $100,000 gift to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund, the Patterson Foundation will also seed the fund with an additional $100,000 to help support long-term recovery efforts led by local nonprofits in areas impacted by Helene. 

Season of Sharing, which typically kicks off each year at the beginning of November, is actively fundraising now to help ensure that impacts to those whose livelihoods are put on pause are as minimal as possible. The initiative, now in its 25th year, covers expenses related to housing, utilities, transportation and childcare to help avoid compounding financial setbacks that can be the result of even a single missed payment.

Due to Helene, it's anticipated that the hospitality industry—which employs more than 70,000 people in the bi-county region—will be disrupted across the region. As with any disaster, many in our region require swift assistance. Those in need should call 2-1-1 to be directed to support from Season of Sharing and other services.

“Long-term recovery is essential to helping our communities recover with resilience, but we also have neighbors in need of immediate relief and support following one of the most severe catastrophes of their lives,” Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation, said in a press release. “The Community Foundation affords donors a pair of effective, proven avenues to make a lasting difference in the short- and long-term."

The Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is specifically focused on supporting the community resources of those living here, among them mental and behavioral health services, legal services, case management, children and youth services, as well as efforts identified by Long Term Recovery Groups within Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties, like rebuilding and repairing home and  replacing damaged furniture and appliances.

All contributions to the fund will be dedicated to long-term recovery efforts, which tend to be identified in the months following an event like Helene, after initial emergency and short-term disaster response and relief efforts have concluded.

“Communities across the Suncoast will face significant challenges in the days, months and even years ahead as they recover,” says Jacobs. “Our previous experience with Hurricane Ian highlighted the need for a strategic approach to strengthening community recovery efforts based on long-term needs, many of which aren’t revealed or fully understood until long after a storm of Helene’s size has passed.”

Donations to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund or Season of Sharing can be made online here. All donations are tax-deductible.