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Jacksonville Woman Collecting Items For Town 'Decimated' By Hurricane Michael

Hilary Keeley
Items are loaded into a truck bound for Lynn Haven, Florida, after Hurricane Michael.

The Panhandle town of Lynn Haven has a long road to recovery ahead after being slammed by Hurricane Michael last week.

Lynn Haven Mayor Margo Anderson's daughter, Hilary Keeley, lives in Ponte Vedra, and she’s been raising money and collecting items to send in trucks to her mother’s town.

“The town is decimated,” she said on WJCT’s First Coast Connect Tuesday. “There is not a resident in the town who has not suffered some damage.”

Keeley said Jacksonville residents have until Wednesday at noon to donate needed items for truckload No. 5. FEMA has been providing ample bottled water, she said, but residents still need basically all toiletries and household items, including diapers. 

Related: Listen To The Entire Interview With Hilary Keely And The Rest Of First Coast Connect

Here’s what’s needed most, she said:

  • Chain saws.
  • Oil or gas for the chainsaws.
  • Kids’ food, including juice boxes and other kid-friendly nonperishable food  

Keeley said the residents of Lynn Haven would also be grateful for decks of cards and board games —anything that can help them pass the time without power.
Items can be dropped off at the corporate office of Katherine Way clothing at 11653 Central Parkway, Suite 208, near the intersection of Beach Boulevard and I-295 on the Southside.

Collection times:

  • Until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16
  • 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 17

At the same time, Clay County Public Schools are holding a collection drive of their own for the victims of Hurricane Michael, from Wednesday, Oct. 17, until Monday, Oct. 29. More information is at the district's website

Jessica Palombo supervises local news gathering and production, podcasts and web editorial content for WJCT News, ADAPT and Jacksonville Today. She is an award-winning writer and journalist with bylines including NPR, Experience Magazine, and The Gainesville Sun. She has a master’s degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University and is an alumna of the University of Florida. A nearly lifelong resident of Jacksonville, she considers herself lucky to be raising her own children in her hometown. Follow Jessica Palombo on Twitter: @JaxJessicaP