Post 136 Auxiliary President Tracy Lynn Wentz makes certain the colors are flying at her post located on Pine Island, Fla. Behind her is a very small portion of the destruction that occurred to Post 136 during Hurricane Ian. Photo by Department of Florida, Edward Lewis.

Department of Florida sets up staging areas for hurricane relief efforts

As relief efforts continue in Florida after Hurricane Ian, the Department of Florida has endorsed three staging areas to serve as collection points for supplies coming from out of state.

“As we continue to emphasize, for everyone’s safety, the coordination of items into affected areas requires communication and specific instruction. We need to ensure that people get items that are needed and have adequate space to receive them,” Department Commander Eunice Butts and Department Adjutant Bruce Comer said in a message to Legion Family leadership.

Those bringing in supplies from out of state are asked to coordinate with the Department of Florida by calling department headquarters at 407-295-2631.

The department-endorsed staging areas for relief supplies are:

· Department of Florida headquarters, 1912A Lee Road, Orlando, FL 32810 (hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)

· Palm Bay Post 117, 189 Veterans Drive SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909

· Fort Lauderdale Post 222, 4250 NE 5th Ave., Oakland Park, FL 33334

The department is also accepting donations to its Hurricane Relief Fund, which is used to distribute funds and purchase items for affected posts, members and communities. Donations can be made online at https://www.floridalegion.org/resources/hurricane-relief/donate/ or mailed to The American Legion, Department of Florida, Attn: Hurricane Relief, 1912A Lee Road, Orlando, FL 32810. Indicate if you want your donation to go to a specific post.

National Emergency Fund