GPIA discusses long-term recovery of Pine Island
The Greater Pine Island Alliance discussed the island’s ongoing recovery efforts Jan. 16 at its monthly general meeting.
According to GPIA co-founder Aaron Barreda, the GPIA continues to receive support from Habitat for Humanity via island housing projects, as well as Catholic Charities.
“They (Catholic Charities) continue to support us — of those funds $100,000 -we’ve spent approximately $40,000 in rebuilding homes, based on Catholic Charities supporting us. We continue to work with them and once the initial grant is spent down we will ask them to see if they can fund us with more funds through Catholic Charities to build homes,” Barreda said.
The GPIA, along with the International Lions Club, was able to give away approximately $12,000 worth of drywall and insulation, he said, adding that the GPIA looks forward to many more events with them.
Rebuilding Together representative Chris Reesor was at the meeting to explain its role in Pine Island’s plan for long-term recovery.
Barreda also recognized the Red Cross for its partnership with the GPIA as well as its involvement in the organization’s introduction to and recent partnership with Convoy of Hope, with which Barreda said the GPIA will be able to obtain furniture, appliances and grants for rebuilding homes.
Another project the GPIA has taken on is Project Noah.
GPIA Executive Director Erin Lollar-Lambert reminded everyone to reach out to the GPIA if they need help.
“If you have not signed up for Get Help — even if you think your house is done and you are fairly solvent, but you are still in need of furnishings or supplies to make you whole in your home, please go on that tab on GPIALLIANCE.ORG/GETHELP and someone from my office will contact you and get you taken care of in those ways,” Lambert said.
Lambert shared that Camp Noah is an organization in Minnesota that provides camps to children who live in a disaster impacted environment.
“We lost the Matlacha Civic Center. That has wiped out almost all extracurricular activities for children on the island. This Spring Break, we are able to provide a completely free Spring Break Day Camp for 50 children of this island. It will be from 8:30 to 3:00, breakfast, lunch, two snacks, activities. The focus of this camp is resiliency,” Lambert said.
Volunteers are needed for this project, which takes place on March 18-22. If you, or someone you know would like to get involved, please contact the GPIA office. Lee County Assistant Manager Glen Sayler wanted to talk about the Lee County Community Development Block Grant for disaster recovery. The funds for the grant are from HUD, Sayler said, adding that there are many federal agency requirements stipulated for the funds.
“I do want to let you know that HUD headquarters has told us that we are the first community in the nation to receive…this allocation of disaster recovery funds to actually roll out programs,” Salyer said.
Barreda said the GPIA has now begun to track some of its volunteer hours and how many people have been helped since its beginnings. To date, 322 volunteers, 8,811 volunteer hours and 1,308 survivors have been helped.
To see this meeting in its entirety, go to the GPIA Facebook page. For additional information please visit, GPIALLIANCE.org.
The GPIA office is at 10484 Stringfellow Road, Unit 2, Bokeelia. For additional information, call 239-558-4901.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email