Hurricane Michael Supply Drive being held this weekend
The Fort Myers Beach community is banning together for a three-day Hurricane Michael Supply Drive, which kicks off Friday.
Pete’s Time Out owner John Lallo said Cheney Brothers Inc. is donating a trailer, gas and a driver to drop off the supplies collected this weekend to the Panhandle.
“They bent over backwards for us. They will do anything for us,” he said. “My job is to fill this trailer up.”
The drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 21, at 7205 Estero Blvd.
Lallo said he started making phone calls last week after driving through some of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Michael.
“It struck a nerve with me and I wanted to do something to make it right. I came back on Monday morning and got it all together,” he said Thursday afternoon. “You can’t plan this, you just have to let it happen. We have people in need up there.”
There will be no monetary donations accepted, but rather supplies that can be directly given to those in need. Those items include bottled water; nonperishable food; children and adult diapers; baby wipes; toiletries including women’s hygiene products; cleaning supplies; antibacterial gel; flashlights; all types of batteries; work or latex gloves; pet food; toilet paper; paper towels; scissors; manual can openers; plastic garbage bags; insect repellent and first aid items.
Another item that may be of use are solar lights.
“That way people can recharge them. You don’t have to keep changing the batteries. Let the sun do the work,” Lallo said.