PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Volunteers from Florida Baptist Disaster Relief ministries are lending a helping hand to those impacted by Hurricane Ian.
"I do this because it's a passion of mine," Jamie Gregory said. "I just love serving others."
Gregory is a volunteer from the Florida Baptist Disaster Relief in Royal Palm Beach.
She has experienced several hurricanes on the east coast of Florida but this time she's helping the west coast.
"Honestly pulling into this neighborhood closer to the water and just seeing the devastation here it kind of took me back a little," she said. "I have a very strong faith in Jesus Christ and that's where my focus got off of me and got on to serving others."
John Neel is leading the team in Punta Gorda. He's from Tallahassee.
"We've seen a lot of roof damage, a lot of wind damage. We've seen a fair amount of water intrusion from the roof damage. We've had to tear off ceilings, insulation, flooring," he said. "Myself, I have a construction background, but we come from all walks of life. We have students. We have businessmen. We have retirees."
Neel is using his skills and his faith to help others.
"To let them know they are not forgotten," he said.
Neel said his team will continue to go to different communities helping those hit hard by Hurricane Ian.
"It has been an incredible experience to see how in a very short amount of time we can connect and impact somebody's life and let them know that there are people that care regardless of their circumstances," he said.
Gregory said everyone should take a moment to help someone in need.
"I would just say take a stop and just look around you and see where you might lend a helping hand," Gregory said. "There's something for everybody to do here."
