(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) After being snubbed by the Biden administration, the Florida Disaster Fund raised nearly $60 million in Hurricane Ian relief funding, according to an announcement by the state’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The state of Florida contributed $25 million in funding to help rebuild the state; donors gave $35.2 million for a total of $59.2 million.
According to the Daily Wire, state funding will largely be put towards the purchase of building materials and gifted funds will help conduct home repairs via approved nonprofit organizations.
With the support of First Lady @CaseyDeSantis, the Florida Disaster Fund has raised more than $59 million, and her announcement of $10.2 million for 17 non-profits to help meet the needs of Floridians with building supplies, food, and shelter will continue to help those in need. https://t.co/9GXy79kWvN
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 6, 2022
The Florida Disaster Fund will also serve people in need of “transportation, food assistance, housing aid, clothing, and household goods.”
“We are providing building materials and supporting nonprofit organizations to provide repairs so impacted residents can move back into their own homes,” DeSantis said. “Floridians are resilient, and the state stands by them every step of the way as they continue their recovery.”
The glad tidings come after the state was denied emergency funding by the Federal Emergency Management Agency due to “limited authority,” according to DeSantis.
After the denial of the state’s funding request, DeSantis hosted a public press conference calling out the federal government, saying they would “not going to take no for an answer,” and vowed to find a way to “cut through bureaucracy.”
FEMA also reportedly rejected the request because of their “inability to confirm that authorizing this policy expansion would achieve the intended outcomes for disaster survivors,” according to a letter to the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
The agency did eventually provide $3.3 billion in federal support to the both the state and private households, according to a FEMA press release.
The Florida Disaster Fund, which is technically a private charity, was founded to provide financial assistance to state communities during emergencies.
Florida’s First Lady, Casey DeSantis, started the fundraising effort according to a statement from Florida officials.
