MIDDLEBURG – Clay County Habitat for Humanity partnered with State Farm to distribute 100 hurricane kits to low-income individuals and families last Sunday.

The hurricane kits included a weather radio that has a flashlight and phone charging capabilities, a manual can opener, a first aid kit, a pack of bottled water, and disaster preparedness guides which included evacuation routes and other items.

The bottled water was generously donated by Niagara Bottling in Middleburg.

“I am most impressed by the number of youth volunteers from different entities that are all working together,” said State Farm’s Diane Banks. “I am shocked by the need for these kits. At noon, people were lined up and waiting.”

Youth volunteers packed the kits before the distribution. The youth volunteers were from the Diocese of St. Augustine, Crossroad Lutheran Church and Clay High’s Senior Class Officers.

“Like A Good Neighbor State Farm is there” isn’t just our tagline, but our call to action.”

“We were contacted by Clay County Habitat to help with a need in our community and it is a part of Crossroad Lutheran Church’s DNA to lend a helping hand,” said Steve Barengo, youth leader of Crossroad Lutheran Church.

Clay County Habitat was able to take reservations for some kits for medically homebound and senior adults. Those kits will be delivered to their homes in the following week.

“We were awarded a grant from State Farm for a project that would involve youth. We decided to focus on basic hurricane provisions needed since we are officially in the hurricane season. Our Emergency Management Office in Clay County provided a wealth of information and spoke of a few items residents need during a hurricane if the power goes out. We realized many residents, especially seniors and residents without transportation could not obtain these basic items, thus the idea for a ‘Hurricane Kit’ was born. They are most vulnerable. The response from the community has been very encouraging. Organizations like Niagara Water, Clay County Emergency Management Organization, several churches, school groups and others joined in our first effort to fill this need. The success of this event will set the precedent for future Hurricane Kit giveaways. This is yet another way Clay County Habitat commits to filling a need in our community,” said Carolyn Edwards, Clay County Habitat for Humanity’s Executive Director.

Habitat for Humanity was established in 1977, building its first home in Penney Farms. Our mission is to build or renovate safe, decent and affordable housing in partnership with the community for low to moderate-income families. Since its inception, the organization has constructed 178 homes serving more than 750 adults and children in Green Cove Springs, Middleburg, Orange Park, Penney Farms and Keystone Heights.