DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Call it a one-two punch. So far this hurricane season two big storms Helene and Milton left Floridians in need of help. Specifically, here in Central Florida, Hurricane Milton left homes flooded and several communities damaged. There are several organizations, specifically nonprofits, jumping into action helping those in need. Among the many to answer the call, everyday hero, Red Cross volunteer Jeannie Harris.

What You Need To Know

  • Daytona Beach area Red Cross volunteer Jeannie Harris enjoys giving back and helping people in her community

  • The Red Cross and partners provided 2.1 million meals and snacks to families following Hurricane Milton. The nonprofit also helping with 95,000 relief items like cleaning and hygiene supplies for thousands impacted across five states

Following Hurricane Milton, volunteers with the American Red Cross Space Coast Chapter are working to provide meals people impacted at Allen Chapel AME Church in Daytona Beach.

Volunteer Jeannie Harris said giving back is a way to keep herself busy. 

“It soon will be two years, and I’ve retired, and I didn’t want to be sitting at home looking at the TV all day so I decided I wanted to get out and help people,” Harris said.

For lunch and dinner, hot meals are being served throughout the week. Harris said if feeding people means helping her community recover from disaster faster, then she is all in. 

“I think it means a lot to them because they are saying that the people care for them and the people that are supplying it for them they care and it means a lot to them, I know it do because they don’t have any heat or anything it makes a difference because they don’t have to be sitting there hungry day after day,” she said.

Red Cross board member Cydney Reagan says so many people on Florida’s Atlantic Coast were greatly impacted by Hurricane Milton. 

“We still have waters receding. There are tons of homes still flooded. There are still residences without electric, lots of people who still don’t have water. Everyone that has a lack of power and water has also lost all their groceries,” Reagan said.

Reagan said having volunteers like Harris is a godsend, helping the Red Cross fulfill their mission of helping people in need. 

“Miss Jeannie is just wonderful. She has been with us for six or seven months. She shows up every day with a smile on her face. She is always positive and is always the first person to stand up and see where she can fit in,” Reagan said.

She helps with the 2.1 million meals and snacks the Red Cross and partners have provided to families following Hurricane Milton. The nonprofit is also helping with 95,000 relief items like cleaning and hygiene supplies for thousands impacted across five states. 

And while Harris said it may not be a lot of help, she’s proud to be an Everyday Hero, reaching out to those who need help the most. 

“It makes me feel great. I can go home and sleep and feel good knowing that I did contribute and help somebody,” Harris said.

If you know of an Everyday Hero, we’d love to feature them. Go to Everyday Hero to nominate them.