Answering the Call of Help for Families in Need

We heard the great call for help after historic Hurricane Ian struck our southern region. Families needed immediate, life-sustaining assistance. Some individuals were left without homes and their belongings, only to have the clothes on their back as a resemblance of their now-destroyed lives.

In October, we provided a $2,500 grant to nonprofit Blaze of Hope for gift cards to meet the basic needs of families impacted by Hurricane Ian. The nonprofit assisted families with food, clothing, essential items, diapers, gas, and more after Hurricane Ian struck. The organization’s funds are used to help families pay their personal expenses during the trying times of having a sick child in the hospital. They serve local families under extreme stress.

Lisa Moore is the CEO and founder of Blaze of Hope. Her son Blaze was diagnosed with liver cancer at seven months old. She had to take a leave of absence from her job because her son was so sick. They spent much of their time in the hospital. The community assisted them so Moore could stay by her baby’s side in the hospital. Baby Blaze endured chemotherapy and surgeries, and sadly passed away at 13 months old. Moore was always by her son’s side during this tragic time. While she was at the hospital, she saw other families desperately in need of hope. They were struggling with the pain, plus trying to meet financial responsibilities. Moore’s dream is to honor her son with a charity that she developed, Blaze of Hope. A family can fill out an application for financial assistance. The funds from the charity are used to help families pay their own personal expenses while their child is hospitalized with a life-threatening illness. They don’t want children to face treatment alone because their parents have to be at work.

On the grant we provided to Blaze of Hope, Moore shared, “The grant Gulf Coast Community Foundation awarded Blaze of Hope helped many families effected by Hurricane Ian. Our Board members hand delivered $2,500 in gift cards to those in need. We also allowed our children to hand deliver them. Not only were the families’ hearts full, so were the kids’ hearts! They were greeted with smiles and arms wide open! It was a beautiful experience for all. Thank you Gulf Coast Community Foundation! Without you we wouldn’t have been able to make a difference!”

“Blaze of Hope is providing essential and critical assistance to those who need it most after Hurricane Ian,” shared Director of Community Leadership at Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Dr. Kameron Hodgens. “We are grateful to partner with this nonprofit who is there for families during this unique and difficult time in their lives.”

One of the gift cards was awarded to a family living in an apartment. Their kitchen was unusable due to Hurricane Ian. The family was grateful to receive an Olive Garden gift card to get hot meals.

Blaze of Hope has helped over 60 families. They build a personal connection between families who can relate to one another. The nonprofit provides an opportunity for families to help one another when a child is facing a life-threatening illness and hospitalization. We at Gulf Coast Community Foundation are honored to support this unique and important organization. Together, we are lifting each other up through trying times and positively transforming our region through bold and proactive philanthropy post-storm.