When the most powerful hurricane on record to ever hit the Florida panhandle struck Bay and surrounding counties, The Sonder Project turned its attention from their ongoing global efforts to strengthen communities to something closer to home. In fact, one county over.

On Wednesday, October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael struck the Florida panhandle. Immediately following the storm, from their base in neighboring Walton County, volunteers from The Sonder Project traveled to the impact area to see if they could provide any assistance.

What they found was devastating – fallen trees everywhere, roofs ripped off homes, cars crushed, buildings destroyed, and people in need of support.

What began as an organic desire to assist neighbors in need has since evolved into an organized daily operation to send volunteers and supplies street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood, with direction and support from Local & Emergency Management Officials.

The Sonder Project was founded through a partnership of three local businesses, 360 Blue, The 30A Company, and YOLO who shared a desire to strengthen communities across the world.

“Now that we see our immediate neighbors suffering so greatly, that world is right next door. We are compelled to act and we need your help.”

The Sonder Project has focused attention on the low-income Springfield and Millville neighborhoods in Bay county.  From their website, “We have cleared countless roads of fallen trees, we have set-up a BBQ to provide hot food, we have distributed tons of supplies from Daffiin Park, we have attached tarps to roofs, and every step along the way, we have offered strength and hope.  Still, the need remains for more, and we have volunteers ready to assist.”

Shore Up Benefit shirts raised $134,000 for The Sonder Project, and these limited run shirts sold out quickly. Help is still needed. There is currently a Sonder Challenge underway to raise $500,000 to go directly to families affected.

You can give to The Sonder Project, a 501(c)3 with donations going directly to those affected by the storm.