Sarasota, FL (October 15, 2024) – Milton slammed into the Florida gulf coast as a category three hurricane last Wednesday, further decimating a coast already battered by Hurricane Helene. Hundreds of thousands were left without power as strong winds and flooding plagued the sunshine state once again. Milton marks the third hurricane Florida has faced this season, making landfall not even two weeks after Helene.
To say Florida residents are exhausted is an understatement. A common refrain heard amongst those working to salvage what is left of their homes is “Why? Why again?” Palliatives fail and words fall short of any meaningful answer. In the face of such destruction and uncertainty, how is it possible for survivors to recover. How is it possible to have hope?
Meet Max. Max lives in Sarasota, Florida in a mobile home community that suffered significant damage during Milton’s chaotic landfall. Many of the homes lost power and, in some cases, experienced irreparable damage.
Days after the event, a Salvation Army Rapid Response Unit (RRU) managed to make its way into the community. The crew spoke to the property manager who guided them to a small parking lot behind one of the homes. As they set up the feeding site, Max and his mother came up to the unit. Max was on his bike and had been riding around as the canteen pulled in. The crew served them, and Max helped to translate their conversation. After exchanging pleasantries, the mother headed back home, and Max stayed to ride around.
John, one of the canteen workers, began going door to door in the neighborhood, letting residents know hot meals were available if they wanted. Max, unprompted, tagged along and continued to translate. If any of the residents they visited were not able to make it to the canteen, Max took it upon himself to bike back to the unit, pick up a meal, and deliver it directly into his neighbors’ hands.
As they continued to go through the neighborhood, Max told John about his family’s journey from Cuba to the United States and how the storm had made things challenging for him and his mother, especially since his father has been gone since the storm cleared. Max’s father works in construction and was called back to the field to help with Milton recovery and rebuilding efforts. Max knows his father is doing important work, yet he worries about him daily. The hardest part is he misses his dad and wants him home, safe.
However, despite such worry and fear, despite enduring more than any child should, Max made a choice. He saw his family, friends, and neighbors in need after the storm and stepped up to help feed them. Max served humbly and with joy, all while riding his bike.
What does hope look like in the wake of three hurricanes? Hope, looks like Max.
