"We Lost Everything, but Not Each Other"
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...“With Helene, we did lose everything except each other. It just felt so rewarding to know that the Diocese that I've worked for just came through for us. It felt like a big hug after being punched in the stomach from Helene.”
“With Helene, we did lose everything except each other. It just felt so rewarding to know that the Diocese that I've worked for just came through for us. It felt like a big hug after being punched in the stomach from Helene.”
These were the words of Vicky Ohara during a news conference on November 26, 2024, at Pinellas Hope, a homeless shelter operated by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg.
Ohara received assistance from the Diocese of Saint Petersburg Disaster Relief Fund to purchase new clothes so she could return to work as a music teacher at Guardian Angels Catholic School. Hurricane Helene had ruined her clothes, and this simple gesture helped her to know she was not alone in the post-storm recovery that seemed so daunting.
The Diocese of Saint Petersburg Disaster Relief Fund is supported by Catholic parishioners who donate to assist those who have experienced natural disasters and are trying to rebuild their churches, homes, and lives.
During the news conference, Bishop Gregory Parkes presented a check for $300,000 from the Disaster Relief Fund to Catholic Charities so they can continue to support individuals in the community who are suffering after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“It is my hope and my prayer that this will be a source of hope to those who are suffering in the aftermath of these storms. Many in our community have suffered greatly, both physically as well as emotionally, spiritually and materially. If we can provide some hope to them, if we can let them know that there are people who care about them, I hope that it will be a source of hope and peace for them as they seek to rebuild,” said Bishop Parkes during the news conference.
He also shared his deep appreciation for all who have contributed to the Disaster Relief Fund.
“I am grateful to all the faithful of our Diocese who have given generously so that we can make gifts such as this gift that we give today to Catholic Charities,” said Bishop Parkes.
During the news conference, Maggie Rogers, Executive Director of Catholic Charities spoke about their comprehensive response to the hurricanes, which included assisting nearly 13,000 people at their distribution center at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, in New Port, Richey.
The money from the Disaster Relief Fund will enable Catholic Charities to provide rental assistance because of lost wages due to the hurricanes. Many hourly workers have lost income due to the recent storms. They also plan to provide new beds and cribs, so adults and children don’t have to sleep on the floor and reimbursements for repair expenses that aren’t covered by insurance or FEMA.
Joe Pondolfino, Director of Pinellas Hope, spoke at the news conference about property damage that closed the shelter for three weeks and how community support enabled them to clean up and make repairs in a short amount of time.
“We went through quite a bit, but we weathered the storms,” said Pondolfino. Pinellas Hope serves 255 clients in their shelter, and the property includes 156 apartments with formerly homeless individuals.
“Fortunately, the whole community came together, and throughout this whole thing, we were able to continue our mission, the Catholic Charities mission, to serve with charity and compassion, to promote the sanctity and the dignity of all people with God,” added Pondolfino.
To learn more about assistance provided by Catholic Charities, visit www.ccdosp.org/hurricane-helene.
To view photos from the news conference, click the arrow below.
