LABELLE, FL. (Aug. 22, 2004) -- Early Sunday morning, August 15, Sheriff
Worley received a call from a volunteer counselor in Hardee County pleading
for assistance. It was explained to Sheriff Worley that the residence in
Hardee County were out of food, and they still had more people that had not
eaten in two days. Under the direction of Sheriff Steve Worley and Major
Terry Woods, the use of semi-tractor trailers, owned by Tracy Martinez and
Charles Chance, have been used for the transportation of food and other
goods to Hurricane Charley victims. Approximately seven and half hours
later, Sheriff Worley, Major Woods, staff and volunteers along with four
semi-tractor/trailers, a box truck owned by Sun Quest Shed, patrol cars and
additional trailers loaded with supplies departed for Hardee County. The
response from the community was overwhelming. Volunteers could not load
the trailers fast enough; even the general public was heard asking to help
load the trucks.
Lori Andrea, a private citizen responded to the Hardee County area on
Sunday, with the first convoy that responded to the hard hit area. Ms.
Andrea who personally witnessed the devastation in that area went back to
the Naples area and together with Costco and many volunteers, they have
managed to collect more than $75,000.00 worth of items to be taken to the
victims. She is now working on the fourth trailer, and currently another
member of the Naples community has donated the use of his
semi-tractor/trailer and is working with Sams Wholesale in Naples. These
Inland areas received Category three hurricane winds or possibly stronger
destroying a great deal of what was had by those that lived there.
So far the Sheriffs Office has taken eight tractor/trailers to Hardee
County and two, to Desoto County. Calls for assistance requesting,
specifically, food items at this time are still coming in. Most of the
non-perishable foods delivered to this area are gone. It is estimated that
in the Wauchula area alone, there are approximately 8,000 hurricane
victims.
It was reported to the deputies unloading food on Wednesday that the items
brought on Tuesday, were what got the residents through Wednesday and what
the Sheriffs Office was leaving was all that they had.
Again, we are reaching out to the public asking for your assistance.
Although the EOC manager has requested donations through the American Red
Cross these people need help NOW, they are hungry. If you can, please help
these victims by dropping off canned non-perishable items at the drop off
points located at the Hendry County Sheriffs Office Headquarters located on
Bridge Street in LaBelle, Florida or at the Hendry County Sub-Office in
Clewiston, or items may be purchased and loaded onto the
semi-tractor/trailers at either Costco or Sams in Naples, or dropped off.
PLEASE NO CLOTHING.
Please allow us to remind you that these items are immediately taken to a
designated area as requested by members of the Emergency Operation Center
in Hardee and Desoto Counties where they are easily accessible to the
victims. They are not placed in a distribution center to await
disbursement.
Sunday, August 22, 2004
$150M Loss To Citrus
Florida Citrus Crop Damage Estimated at Nearly $150 Million
LAKELAND, Fl. (Aug. 18, 2004) - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Farm Service Agency (FSA) posted preliminary figures representing an
estimated crop loss impact of Hurricane Charley on Florida citrus growers.
Officials estimate that the storm reduced the overall citrus harvest for
the upcoming season by 20 percent of the total crop, which equates to
nearly $150 million in crop loss given crop price levels for the past two
seasons.
This figure is for fruit only and does not represent tree loss and
re-planting costs or damage costs associated with barns, equipment,
processing and packing facilities, which will increase the overall economic
loss the industry will face. In addition, growers expect more fruit to
fall within the next few weeks, further adding to the overall fruit loss.
"This is a very preliminary figure that we fully expect to increase as
additional damage is discovered and industry losses are calculated," said
Andy LaVigne, Florida Citrus Mutual's executive vice president/CEO.
The counties most dramatically impacted financially are DeSoto and Hardee
counties where citrus drives the local economies. The economic impact from
the citrus industry for these two counties is approximately 445 million for
the 2002-2003 citrus season. Ninety-six percent of the Florida orange crop
is processed into orange juice. Florida citrus growers supply 80 percent
of the U.S. orange juice supply and 38 percent of the world orange juice
supply.
LAKELAND, Fl. (Aug. 18, 2004) - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Farm Service Agency (FSA) posted preliminary figures representing an
estimated crop loss impact of Hurricane Charley on Florida citrus growers.
Officials estimate that the storm reduced the overall citrus harvest for
the upcoming season by 20 percent of the total crop, which equates to
nearly $150 million in crop loss given crop price levels for the past two
seasons.
This figure is for fruit only and does not represent tree loss and
re-planting costs or damage costs associated with barns, equipment,
processing and packing facilities, which will increase the overall economic
loss the industry will face. In addition, growers expect more fruit to
fall within the next few weeks, further adding to the overall fruit loss.
"This is a very preliminary figure that we fully expect to increase as
additional damage is discovered and industry losses are calculated," said
Andy LaVigne, Florida Citrus Mutual's executive vice president/CEO.
The counties most dramatically impacted financially are DeSoto and Hardee
counties where citrus drives the local economies. The economic impact from
the citrus industry for these two counties is approximately 445 million for
the 2002-2003 citrus season. Ninety-six percent of the Florida orange crop
is processed into orange juice. Florida citrus growers supply 80 percent
of the U.S. orange juice supply and 38 percent of the world orange juice
supply.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
In The Service
Air Force Airman Sarah M. Ryder has graduated from basic military training
at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of
training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and
military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and
received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises,
and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an
associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. She is the
daughter of Annette Schuetz of S. Tulip Road, Labelle, Fla., and
granddaughter of Ethel Ryder of Cass St., Sarasota, Fla. Ryder graduated
in the year 2000 from Clewiston High School, Fla.
at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of
training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and
military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and
received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises,
and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an
associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. She is the
daughter of Annette Schuetz of S. Tulip Road, Labelle, Fla., and
granddaughter of Ethel Ryder of Cass St., Sarasota, Fla. Ryder graduated
in the year 2000 from Clewiston High School, Fla.
Governor's Announces Relief Fund
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today announced the creation of a 501(c)(3)
account, to be managed by the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation, for
charitable donations to help the victims of Hurricane Charley.
"In the wake of this terrible storm, we are seeing a tremendous
outpouring of support from people around the state and across the nation,"
Governor Bush said. "The generosity from our federal partners, corporate
citizens and individuals will truly make a difference as we continue to
rebuild from the destruction of Charley."
So far, more than $1.1 million has been donated for relief efforts. The
family of Wayne Huizenga and the Miami Dolphins have announced they are
donating $1 million to the relief effort, $50,000 from Shell Oil Company and
$25,000 from BP. Individuals also are calling with donations.
Donations are being accepted through Volunteer Florida Foundation and
deposited into a special account specifically for this relief effort.
Information is posted and regularly updated at
www.VolunteerFloridaFoundation.org
. Checks should be made payable
to Hurricane Charley Relief Effort and may be mailed to Volunteer Florida
Foundation, ATTN: Hurricane Charley Relief Effort, 401 South Monroe Street,
Tallahassee, FL 32301. To make credit card donations, call 1-800-FL-HELP-1.
Other volunteer information may also be obtained by calling the toll-free
number.
Volunteer Florida Foundation will be guided by a steering committee to
oversee fund allocations. The committee will be chaired by former U.S.
Senator Connie Mack. Vice-chairs are Clarence Otis incoming CEO of Darden
Restaurants, Inc., and Joe Lacher, President Florida, BellSouth
Telecommunications. Tallahassee attorney Steve Uhlfelder will serve as the
CEO of the relief efforts
"Times of disaster bring together the spirits and hearts of our
communities," Senator Mack said. "I'm proud to serve in this capacity to
help rebuild the neighborhoods affected by this disaster."
Volunteer Florida Foundation has set up a separate Hurricane Charley Relief
Effort account for donations. All donations designated for this purpose will
be deposited in this special account and will be used only for relief
efforts to assist those affected by Hurricane Charley. A report of the use
of funds will be issued by the steering committee no later than six months
from today, and every six months thereafter until the fund is closed. An
evaluation of the use of private donations will be made by a nonpartisan
group independent of these efforts.
account, to be managed by the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation, for
charitable donations to help the victims of Hurricane Charley.
"In the wake of this terrible storm, we are seeing a tremendous
outpouring of support from people around the state and across the nation,"
Governor Bush said. "The generosity from our federal partners, corporate
citizens and individuals will truly make a difference as we continue to
rebuild from the destruction of Charley."
So far, more than $1.1 million has been donated for relief efforts. The
family of Wayne Huizenga and the Miami Dolphins have announced they are
donating $1 million to the relief effort, $50,000 from Shell Oil Company and
$25,000 from BP. Individuals also are calling with donations.
Donations are being accepted through Volunteer Florida Foundation and
deposited into a special account specifically for this relief effort.
Information is posted and regularly updated at
www.VolunteerFloridaFoundation.org
to Hurricane Charley Relief Effort and may be mailed to Volunteer Florida
Foundation, ATTN: Hurricane Charley Relief Effort, 401 South Monroe Street,
Tallahassee, FL 32301. To make credit card donations, call 1-800-FL-HELP-1.
Other volunteer information may also be obtained by calling the toll-free
number.
Volunteer Florida Foundation will be guided by a steering committee to
oversee fund allocations. The committee will be chaired by former U.S.
Senator Connie Mack. Vice-chairs are Clarence Otis incoming CEO of Darden
Restaurants, Inc., and Joe Lacher, President Florida, BellSouth
Telecommunications. Tallahassee attorney Steve Uhlfelder will serve as the
CEO of the relief efforts
"Times of disaster bring together the spirits and hearts of our
communities," Senator Mack said. "I'm proud to serve in this capacity to
help rebuild the neighborhoods affected by this disaster."
Volunteer Florida Foundation has set up a separate Hurricane Charley Relief
Effort account for donations. All donations designated for this purpose will
be deposited in this special account and will be used only for relief
efforts to assist those affected by Hurricane Charley. A report of the use
of funds will be issued by the steering committee no later than six months
from today, and every six months thereafter until the fund is closed. An
evaluation of the use of private donations will be made by a nonpartisan
group independent of these efforts.
Columba Bush Statement on Child Drinking
Statement by:
FIRST LADY COLUMBA BUSH
Regarding: Semi-Postal Stamp to Benefit Childhood Drinking
Prevention and Education
"In Congress during July, U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) took a major step to stop underage alcohol use
when they introduced a bill that would establish the first-ever childhood
drinking semi-postal stamp.
"Underage alcohol use is a tremendous problem in Florida and
throughout the nation. Nationally, nearly one-third of youth begin drinking
before they reach age 13. In Florida, alcohol remains the most common
substance abused by children. Three times more 6th through 12th graders
have used alcohol in the past month than marijuana. While youth alcohol use
in Florida has decreased by 10 percent since 1999, far too many of our
children continue to drink, with significant risk to their health and
well-being.
"The new semi-postal stamp will raise awareness about the dangers
associated with alcohol use by children and fund prevention and education.
It has the potential to make an enormous difference. I join governors'
spouses all across the country, and the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol
Free, in urging every member of Congress to support it.
"Underage alcohol use is taking a toll on our families, our
communities and our nation every day. There is no time to waste."
FIRST LADY COLUMBA BUSH
Regarding: Semi-Postal Stamp to Benefit Childhood Drinking
Prevention and Education
"In Congress during July, U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) took a major step to stop underage alcohol use
when they introduced a bill that would establish the first-ever childhood
drinking semi-postal stamp.
"Underage alcohol use is a tremendous problem in Florida and
throughout the nation. Nationally, nearly one-third of youth begin drinking
before they reach age 13. In Florida, alcohol remains the most common
substance abused by children. Three times more 6th through 12th graders
have used alcohol in the past month than marijuana. While youth alcohol use
in Florida has decreased by 10 percent since 1999, far too many of our
children continue to drink, with significant risk to their health and
well-being.
"The new semi-postal stamp will raise awareness about the dangers
associated with alcohol use by children and fund prevention and education.
It has the potential to make an enormous difference. I join governors'
spouses all across the country, and the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol
Free, in urging every member of Congress to support it.
"Underage alcohol use is taking a toll on our families, our
communities and our nation every day. There is no time to waste."
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