A Night Out For Hurricane Survivors to feature stories, music, art and more
Extreme Weather Survivors (EWS) will host a free community event — A Night Out for Hurricane Survivors — from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at the St. James City Civic Association in St. James City.
Saint James City resident Cindy Bickford reported nationwide interviews with major organizations after Hurricane Ian led her and her husband, Alan, to Washington, D.C., to share their story of surviving a major hurricane with EWS.
“They sent 70 people to D.C. to tell our stories, meet each other and then they set up 45 meetings with legislators to advocate for whatever we felt needed to be changed,” she said.
The couple’s involvement with EWS eventually led to the securing of grant funding. Bickford said it was decided there should be an event in either California, Colorado, North Carolina or Florida.
“I said it needs to be here, because I really rave about our emergency task force,” she said, adding that she explained the need for more people to see what is done here.
“It’s a night out for hurricane survivors — having food and telling stories,” Bickford said.
The event will feature music, poems, stories and art, along with vendors.
There will be original songs themed around the survival of hurricanes, performed by the original songwriters. After eating and some socialization, attendees are encouraged to sit and listen to the songs and stories of those who endured extreme weather and came to share their experience with others.
Also, EMS Partnerships Manager and U.S. Air Force veteran Charonda Johnson has been invited to interview some veterans from Pine Island who were impacted by Ian.
“Those stories will go to the Library of Congress,” Bickford said.
The event will be catered by Salty Girls Island Café.
The American Red Cross will give away supplies.
To RSVP or for more information, visit https://www.sjccapi.org/.
The St. James City Civic Association is at 3300 Fourth Ave., St. James City.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email