In response to Hurricane Ian’s destruction of many businesses and homes in Florida, a business owner in Lancaster is extending a helping hand to victims.
Massive local and international support has been shown by individuals as well as organizations toward disaster victims. Some offer donations; others help by cleaning up and clearing out the impacted structures and trees.
Leon Brown, a business owner in Lancaster, took it upon himself to drive a charitable campaign designed to sensitize people to the need for additional help for the victims.
Brown’s huge following of nearly 90,000 on Instagram contributed greatly to the reach of his campaign. He was able to raise $10,000 for 100 Florida families.
The founder of the consignment shop, “WeRTheHelp,” Brown revealed that he has been giving clothes to the victims rather than selling them. “If you look around my shop,” he said, “the shelves are empty, and the racks don’t have clothes on them. People have been coming through.”
Brown further stated that one of the families impacted, headed by Bree and Marcus Smith from Fort Myers, stopped by to get some clothes. “They were also given $500,” he said.
The Smiths recounted the acts of kindness they have experienced so far, journeying from Florida to Texas. They also revealed that their friends had given them a roof over their heads until they are able to recover from their losses.
The money Brown gave them “was a blessing,” Bree Smith shared. “We were able to get down to El Paso, and that [donation] was able to cover food and gas for us.”
Brown’s current campaign to gather donations to be given to families at Thanksgiving is called “Covered in Coats.” He will collect coats from October 24 to November 21 and then distribute them along with shoes and hygiene kits in time for the holiday.
The charitable organization accepts funds from individuals, Brown said, never from the government, for purchasing shoes and coats for those not only affected by hurricanes but also people in Dallas who are homeless.
Brown told The Dallas Express, “Everything my wife and I get, we give back, hoping to be a blessing to the community.” He said “just $50 to $60” can make a huge difference to families impacted by Hurricane Ian.
To donate clothing for Hurricane Ian victims or even year-round to help local families, stop by the consignment shop in Lancaster or call Leon Brown at 510-754-8880 to schedule a drop-off time.
