Jacksonville, Fla. — In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which struck Florida’s Big Bend region as a powerful Category 4 storm on Sept. 24, Bishop Erik Pohlmeier of the Diocese of St. Augustine is calling on the faithful for urgent help to support ongoing recovery efforts. This marks the third major hurricane to devastate the region in just over a year, following Hurricanes Idalia and Debbie, leaving many rural communities, such as Cedar Key and Horseshoe Beach, facing a long road to recovery.
“Many have lost their homes, livelihoods and irreplaceable belongings accumulated over a lifetime,” said Bishop Pohlmeier in a heartfelt letter to parishioners. “The path to recovery will be long, and for some, it may take years to rebuild what was destroyed.”
In response, the Catholic Charities Bureau (CCB) of the Diocese of St. Augustine, which has a proven track record of assisting in long-term disaster recovery, has mobilized to provide essential support. The organization is currently on the ground offering services such as home repairs, temporary housing, food, disaster kits and emotional support, among other crucial assistance. Bishop Pohlmeier emphasized the importance of sustained help, noting that Catholic Charities stays with survivors long after emergency response teams and media attention have moved on.
Bishop Pohlmeier is urgently requesting monetary donations to continue this work. “Your donation will enable us to meet immediate and long-term needs that are often unmet by other relief efforts,” he stated. The bishop also mentioned the possibility of a nationwide disaster relief collection organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to aid communities impacted by Hurricane Helene across the country.
Donations can be made online through the Catholic Charities Bureau website(https://www.ccbdosa.org/donate) or by mailing a check to their Jacksonville office. Bishop Pohlmeier assured donors that 100 percent of contributions would go directly to recovery efforts, with no administrative fees deducted.
The Diocese of St. Augustine invites individuals to contact Catholic Charities at (904) 899-5506 for more information or to offer additional support.
In closing, Bishop Pohlmeier expressed gratitude to those who will contribute to the recovery efforts. “Thank you for your generosity and for helping us rebuild our communities,” he said.
As Florida faces another monumental challenge, the Catholic Church stands strong, offering hope, compassion and aid to those affected by this devastating storm.
