The American Red Cross Fully Funds World Renew’s
Hurricane Helene Response in Florida
The American Red Cross Fully Funds World Renew’s Hurricane Helene Response in Florida
October 16, 2025 — In September 2025, the American Red Cross awarded a grant to World Renew’s Disaster Response Services (DRS) program, funding our Restoring Homes and Hope in Florida project. With an award up to $760,935 USD, the Red Cross is fully funding a two-year response for DRS volunteers to repair homes damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton with local recovery partners in Southwest Florida.
Following the traditional model of DRS reconstruction sites, skilled, vetted repair teams will volunteer in Sarasota County and an additional county for two years. These back-to-back volunteer teams will provide repair services for hurricane survivors in coordination with case-management and construction supervision from our partner Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRG).
“Thanks to DRS’ effective recovery model spanning many decades, we know volunteers will make a lasting impact as Jesus’ hands and feet for hurricane survivors through Restoring Homes and Hope in Florida,” shared Chris Gibson, DRS Director. “To have the Red Cross recognize and financially support these efforts is an honor.”
After Hurricane Ian in 2022, Gina – a single mother – saw her home’s roof torn off, floodwaters rise to two feet, and mold render the air unlivable. Eventually, her children were forced to move out of the home due to health risks. With LTRG coordination, DRS volunteers rebuilt Gina’s roof, repaired structural damage, and made the home safe again. DRS anticipates volunteer teams repairing up to 84 homes across Southwest Florida for homeowners like Gina. “These repairs have been an answer to my ongoing prayers,” Gina said.
The World Renew and Red Cross partnership goes back to 2013, when the Red Cross Canada provided funding for World Renew’s flood response in Alberta, Canada. The $1.2 million CAD awarded to World Renew Disaster Response Services funded 33 home repairs and 235 unmet needs assessment surveys.
Robby Sofaly, Director of Long-Term Recovery for Helene and Milton Hurricanes at the Red Cross, explains, “World Renew DRS has been an active and dedicated recovery partner in Florida for years. We are proud to continue that partnership in support of Florida families still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Through this grant we will be able to help families safely return home and continue their recovery.”
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on social media.
World Renew is a faith-based non-profit that works each year in more than 30 countries to address poverty, hunger, and injustice through development and disaster response programs in communities of poverty. These programs are carried out through local partner organizations and churches and supported by World Renew’s generous donors in North America and its alliances with well-established networks of government and non-government organizations worldwide.
Media contact: Lexi Fischer, [email protected]
October 16, 2025 — In September 2025, the American Red Cross awarded a grant to World Renew’s Disaster Response Services (DRS) program, funding our Restoring Homes and Hope in Florida project. With an award up to $760,935 USD, the Red Cross is fully funding a two-year response for DRS volunteers to repair homes damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton with local recovery partners in Southwest Florida.
Following the traditional model of DRS reconstruction sites, skilled, vetted repair teams will volunteer in Sarasota County and an additional county for two years. These back-to-back volunteer teams will provide repair services for hurricane survivors in coordination with case-management and construction supervision from our partner Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRG).
“Thanks to DRS’ effective recovery model spanning many decades, we know volunteers will make a lasting impact as Jesus’ hands and feet for hurricane survivors through Restoring Homes and Hope in Florida,” shared Chris Gibson, DRS Director. “To have the Red Cross recognize and financially support these efforts is an honor.”
After Hurricane Ian in 2022, Gina – a single mother – saw her home’s roof torn off, floodwaters rise to two feet, and mold render the air unlivable. Eventually, her children were forced to move out of the home due to health risks. With LTRG coordination, DRS volunteers rebuilt Gina’s roof, repaired structural damage, and made the home safe again. DRS anticipates volunteer teams repairing up to 84 homes across Southwest Florida for homeowners like Gina. “These repairs have been an answer to my ongoing prayers,” Gina said.
The World Renew and Red Cross partnership goes back to 2013, when the Red Cross Canada provided funding for World Renew’s flood response in Alberta, Canada. The $1.2 million CAD awarded to World Renew Disaster Response Services funded 33 home repairs and 235 unmet needs assessment surveys.
Robby Sofaly, Director of Long-Term Recovery for Helene and Milton Hurricanes at the Red Cross, explains, “World Renew DRS has been an active and dedicated recovery partner in Florida for years. We are proud to continue that partnership in support of Florida families still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Through this grant we will be able to help families safely return home and continue their recovery.”
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on social media.
World Renew is a faith-based non-profit that works each year in more than 30 countries to address poverty, hunger, and injustice through development and disaster response programs in communities of poverty. These programs are carried out through local partner organizations and churches and supported by World Renew’s generous donors in North America and its alliances with well-established networks of government and non-government organizations worldwide.
Media contact:
Lexi Fischer, [email protected]