From Recovery to Resilience

As the summer has come to a close and we prepare for fall, we at the Greater
Pine Island Alliance (GPIA) are focusing not on the devastation that our
community has endured, but the dedication and determination to recover.
Together, our community has been touched not only by local support but also
support from many outside of our community.

Jeff and Bruce are great examples. They were strangers to one another before
Helene and Milton but are today two of our most dedicated volunteers who
have teamed up to help islanders. Today, these Cape Coral residents are common faces on the
island, where they have donated more than 580 volunteer hours with GPIA helping survivors
recover. “We were all put on this earth for a reason, and giving back is a huge part of that,” says
Jeff, adding that they’ve received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from those they’ve helped.
Jeff and Bruce also want to encourage others to volunteer — even if it’s just for a day or two. No
matter your volunteer skills, Jeff and Bruce are happy to train you!

We’d also like to introduce you to the newest “member” of our team: “Bob” the truck. Robert
Ballard, an Island native, and his wife Ellen generously donated their FordF150 to GPIA,
alleviating some of the wear and tear on the vehicles of GPIA staff. We are tremendously grateful
for Ballards’ generosity.

We would also like to highlight and thank our newest partners: the Pine Island Elks Lodge 2781
and Collaboratory community foundation. The Elks has generously funded rebuilding projects
on the island. The Collaboratory invited GPIA to open an Agency Fund to be administered by the
foundation. This will provide GPIA more exposure to a larger donor base in Southwest Florida
and throughout the country, with a goal of increasing capacity and impact for current needs and
future community resiliency.

Col. Barreda and I were invited by our great partners at Lee County Public Safety to attend the
first Ready Lee meeting. This group brings together disaster responders from Lee County to
discuss preparedness as well as response and recovery for our communities.

Every donation, every volunteer hour and every act of kindness is helping survivors return to
what matters most —safe, secure and sanitary homes.
None of this would be possible without you — our donors, volunteers, partners and neighbors.
Your support fuels hope and creates change. Together, we are not just rebuilding homes; we are
rebuilding Pine Island stronger, safer, and more connected than ever.

Let’s carry this momentum into the fall and beyond!

All of my very best,
Erin Lollar Lambert
Executive Director

Summer Impact at a Glance
Our progress, in numbers:
· $56,459 in donations-in-kind provided essential supplies and support.
· 769 volunteer hours contributed by dedicated individuals.
· 85 active cases currently receiving assistance through GPIA.
Each number represents families rebuilding, neighbors helping neighbors, and a community
rising stronger together.
__________________________________________________________________