The unexpected heroes of disaster recovery often emerge from the most unlikely places. When Hurricane Ian devastated Fort Myers Beach in 2022, a local golf cart shop transformed overnight into a lifeline for an entire community.

Heidi shares the remarkable origin story of FMB Strong, which began when business owners Tim Ryan and Dan Allers found their building relatively undamaged after the hurricane. As donations began pouring in, what started as a chaotic collection point quickly evolved into an organized distribution center providing generators, tools, water, and essential supplies to devastated residents. The outpouring of support was overwhelming – semi trucks arriving from Wisconsin, donations flooding in from across Florida, and strangers stepping up to help strangers in their darkest hours.

But FMB Strong's impact goes far beyond material aid. The organization became a beacon of hope for the community's most vulnerable members, including those struggling with addiction, homelessness, and elderly residents unable to navigate complex relief systems. Their case manager Patty Benson, herself nearly 30 years in recovery from substance abuse, has helped numerous individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives from scratch. As Heidi puts it, "These are the things that we've done... We've really helped people that needed help."

The organization's innovative fundraising approach – an annual "Mrs. Roper" themed event that started with a modest goal of 100 tickets – has exploded into a community-wide celebration attracting 700+ participants and becoming "the biggest day of the year" for many local businesses. Despite facing challenges like donor fatigue and diminishing grants as other disasters command attention, FMB Strong continues providing critical services while adapting to evolving community needs. Their story stands as powerful testament to what becomes possible when everyday people refuse to stand by in the face of catastrophe.

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Ft Myers, FL 33966
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