Together We Keep Recovery Moving Disasters are nothing to celebrate, but progress in recovery is inspiring. Thanks to your support of the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund, neighbors in Central Florida are making great strides in recovery from the devastating tornadoes of Christmas Day 2006 and Groundhog Day 2007. Here are a few of their stories: No Time to Run Joyce and Bud Pope, like many retired couples, were quietly celebrating Christmas at their mobile home in Deland in 2006, when a tornado rocked their world. Christmas dinner was in the oven and Bud had just gone in to take a nap. Joyce was resting on her back porch when she heard a broadcaster on the TV announce a tornado was spotted in the vicinity. "I unplugged everything on the porch and had just reached for the door when it hit." she says. Hanging onto the door, she managed to survive the tornado, which blew away the porch behind her, rocked the mobile home as it shredded the roof and blew out the windows. Miraculously, neither she nor Bud was seriously hurt. Through case management assistance from Volusia Interfaith Networking in Disaster (VIND), Joyce and Bud have been able to piece together social assistance to make their home whole again. VIND is the designated long-term recovery organization chosen by this Fund to keep recovery moving for residents like the Popes. This is possible through your charitable donations. Miracles in Recovery The Henry family slept peacefully in the early morning hours of February 2, 2007, when a devastating tornado ripped through their home. The tornado collapsed the walls in the front of their two-story house as it also blew out windows and tore away the roof. "No one got hurt. We call it a miracle," said the Reverend Obadiah Henry. While recovering and retrieving personal articles, the family also sprang into action to help neighbors in need. The ensuing days were difficult, with many residents trying to make financial and living arrangements under duress. A member of Henry's church came to him and made Reverend Henry realize he was under post-traumatic stress and needed to slow down his decision-making. "My wife and I almost packed everything up and moved away, until my friend pointed out to me this was not the best financial option." Reverend Henry discovered he was under-insured, gleaning only enough funds for building materials to replace his home. Through assistance from Volusia Interfaith Networking in Disaster (VIND), the family is the process of rebuilding their home with volunteer help. They expect to move in sometime in late March. His community has come together in a positive way to help all neighbors recover, Reverend Henry explains, and his family is but one example. "We often say we are grateful, but a situation like this makes you realize what that means," he adds. VIND is financially supported by your donations to the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donations are tax-deductible. Donate Now! Click here. See photos from Tropical Storm Fay and read a first-person story. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH8536.