Dover community comes together, helping mobile home park residents after Milton

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Published  December 21, 2024 3:08pm EST
FOX 13 News
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Helping those impacted by hurricanes

FOX 13's Jordan Bowen went to the event and shares why this event is so special.

DOVER, Fla. - Many of the residents inside the Palms of Dover mobile home park lost everything during Hurricane Milton, so to help make their Christmas extra special, some local organizations and churches came together on Saturday to deliver toys and baby items to the community.

"It's giving them the hope that things are going to get better despite the sadness of these kids of losing everything that they had. This is a new like a renewal for them to say everything is going to be okay," The Ceccarelli-Rosenburg Foundation Founder Pia Ceccarelli said.

Local organizations came together to give out toys and baby items to residents inside the Palms of Dover mobile home park.

Maurilia Alejandro and her four kids lost everything during the hurricane when their home took in several feet of water. 

READ: More than 100 bikes given to children in Tampa ahead of Christmas: ‘So wonderful’

Non-profits ‘Worth and Purpose’ and ‘I Am Hopeful’ heard about the impact Hurricane Milton had on the residents at The Palms of Dover and wanted to do what they could to help them during their time of need.

"For us, it is very rewarding because, you know, I personally grew up very poor and our Christmas, we barely have nothing. So I can put myself in their shoes. And I know that most of the people, they lose hope in faith and that's why we are bringing them today," I Am Hopeful Director Dammy Sanchez said.

Both organizations came with a truck full of gifts, including dozens of toys and baby items like diapers. 

Local organizations came together to give out toys and baby items to residents inside the Palms of Dover mobile home park.

For many families who are currently rebuilding, Christmas wouldn't otherwise have been possible if not for Worth and Purpose and I Am Hopeful.

READ: Fort De Soto Park reopens after catastrophic damage from Hurricanes Helene, Milton

"We wouldn't be able to do this without the effort of collective different organizations and churches that came together to assist this community. That's why I said this was a leap of faith and God provided, and we are here today to be able to celebrate and bring joy to these families," Sanchez said.

Alejandro says thanks to both organizations, her two sons and two daughters will get gifts this Christmas.

"They are bringing a smile to the broken hearts. Basically, that's what she's trying to say. That for the children, they are very sad, this is going to bring them a smile and hope and happiness," Ceccarelli said.

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