VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — While Central Florida may have been spared the brunt of Hurricane Helene, residents are stepping up to help those who were impacted.

A group of community members has launched a donation drive to support families in Steinhatchee, one of the areas hit hardest by the storm.

What You Need To Know

  •  Central Florida resident organizes donation drive to aid Hurricane Helene victims, delivering first trailer of supplies to Steinhatchee 

  •  Julia Cole, who initiated the effort, has collected essentials such as water, baby formula and clothing  

  •  The community's overwhelming response has motivated Cole to continue to collect and deliver items

The first trailer of supplies was delivered Saturday morning, packed with essential items for those in need.

Julia Cole, who organized the drive, said the 12-by-6-foot U-Haul trailer was filled to the top with donations.

“We have toilet paper, trash bags, towels, blankets, bedding, clothing,” Cole said. “It was a game of Tetris, kind of putting everything in here, but we got it all to fit.”

Cole says the community’s response has been overwhelming. In just one week, they collected 40 cases of water, several boxes of baby formula and diapers, and bags of clothing in various sizes.

“I didn’t see many donation drives happening in the area, so I created a flier to get things started,” Cole said. “Since then, the outpouring of support has been incredible. Businesses and individuals from all over Central Florida, from the Big Bend area up to the Carolinas and Tennessee, have come together to make this happen.”

Cole was up late Friday night loading the final items into the trailer and was back at it early Saturday morning, preparing for the trip to Steinhatchee. Despite the long hours, she says it’s worth the effort.

“I’m just overwhelmed with joy,” she said. “We have a whole truckload, and that’s just after one week. I wasn’t expecting this much support, and I’m excited to drop everything off so people can get the supplies they need.”

Cole plans to continue collecting donations for as long as they’re needed.

“As long as the donations keep coming, we’ll keep delivering them,” she said.

The drive to Steinhatchee, about three hours away, is one Cole says she doesn’t mind making repeatedly, as she’s committed to supporting her community and those affected by the hurricane.

Donation dropoff locations: 

  • Jolly Gator Fish Camp, 4650 E. S.R. 46 Geneva, Fl
  • Mobile Gas Station, 140 W. S.R. 46, Geneva, Fl
  • Pampered Paws, 4069 S.R. 46 E., Sanford Fl