P.E.S.T. Relief International Provides Disaster Relief in Florida

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Editor’s note: P.E.S.T. Relief International, a non-profit organization for professionals in the pest management industry to empower, sustain and transform the lives of the destitute and the defenseless, recently helped restore The Taunton Family Children’s Home in Wewahitchka, Fla., which was devasted by Hurricane Michael.

On Oct. 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Fla. This devastating category 4 storm was the strongest hurricane to hit the Florida Panhandle in recorded history. Directly in the path of Michael, The Taunton Family Children’s Home in Wewahitchka, Fla., incurred damages that included over 200 fallen trees and a flooded bunkhouse, which destroyed 12 mattresses.

Upon arrival we were greeted by 33 smiling faces and open arms. We quickly went to work removing storm debris and serving the residents of The Taunton Family Children’s Home. During our visit, we provided 179 meals, distributed blankets and Buddy Bags, painted fingernails and toes, played basketball, and handed out 26 bibles with personal inscriptions for each child. 

The destroyed mattresses were replaced with brand-new mattresses, and all beds received new sheets, bedding, and mattress encasements to provide a safe and sanitary place to sleep. The chainsaw crew was able to remove 50 of the remaining trees making the grounds much safer for everyone.

Later that night, a campfire with s’mores hit the spot after a hard day’s work. We wished the children well as they returned to their homes to sleep in their clean and comfy beds.

This experience not only impacted the residents of The Taunton Family Children’s Home, but also the volunteers who dedicated their time and resources to bring comfort and relief.

Special thanks to our volunteers and donors who made this initiative possible:

Glenda Lehmberg and Maria Collins 

Marty and Cindy Jones 

Greg and Jessica Olliff 

Thomas Burnsad and Adam Matthews 

Dereck Pumphrey 

Hope Connolly 

Zach Simmons 

Andrea, Jeff, and David Hancock

Michael McDonald

Mike Joyce 

Gary Moore 

Ashley Furniture 

Mattress Safe, Inc.