START YOUR FUND

Photo Courtesy: Scott Hagen, Barns Tire Store, Marianna, Florida

Emily Hamner and Burley Pellerin established the Acadiana Hurricane Michael Fund to support nonprofit organizations who are helping the victims of Hurricane Michael.

Acadiana Hurricane Michael Fund is a fund of Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA). All donations are tax-deductible. Anyone can make an online donation at www.cfacadiana.org/ahmf. Checks can be dropped off or mailed to Community Foundation of Acadiana, memo: Acadiana Hurricane Michael Fund, 1035 Camellia Boulevard, Suite 100, Lafayette, LA 70508.

“We have all vacationed in the communities that were affected by this storm,” said Emily Hamner of Lafayette, Louisiana. “This fund will be a way for Acadiana residents to help give to the beach communities that we all know and love.”

Hurricane Michael decimated towns in the Florida Panhandle when it made landfall as a category four storm on Wednesday, October 10. Search and rescue crews continue to dig through the rubble looking for victims. At least 18 deaths in four states have been blamed on Hurricane Michael. City officials said it could take years to rebuild the areas hit by the hurricane

American Red Cross volunteer teams have been in Panama City, Florida assisting with the recovery efforts.

Michael Gailfoil grew up in The Cove Neighborhood in Panama City, Florida. He said had never seen anything like the chaos of Hurricane Michael when it came roaring ashore.

“I’ve been through a lot during my 17 years as a cop, and it takes a lot to scare me,” said Gailfoil to an American Red Cross volunteer. “I was really, really scared.” Michael went on to say that he would never attempt to ride out another hurricane.

“The house shook like it was alive,” said Teresa Peterson, a resident of The Cove Neighborhood. “I didn’t think it would be so bad, and then it got bad so quickly. I’ll never do that again.”

For more information on about the Acadiana Hurricane Michael Fund, you can call 337.769.4843 or email donorservices@cfacadiana.org.

Thanks to the American Red Cross for sharing its stories and photos with Community Foundation of Acadiana.