A Facebook post caught our eye this week which read, "PLEASE stop what you're doing and give the staff and student body at Sea Breeze Elementary a HUGE round of applause."
Alexis Lucas, Executive Director of Organized Fishmen of Florida - Cortez continued, "THANK YOU Sea Breeze - you all should be SO PROUD for helping hundreds of families in a time of need."
It's hard to believe that a catastrophic hurricane made landfall, approx. 100 miles south of Manatee County, just three weeks ago.
Our community hasn't forgotten. After Hurricane Ian pummelled its way through Florida, schools across the district took action.
A donation drive was setup for Myakka City, but it didn't stop there for Kathy Bayliss, a Pre-K teacher at Sea Breeze Elementary.
"I saw a post on Facebook by Alexis, and she told me several local fisherman came to her wanting to help those worst hit by Ian," Bayliss told us.
She got Principal Aliki Bovoletis on board, and the school extended their donation drive one additional week.
They collected clothes, shoes, baby formula, cleaning supplies and a generous donation of brand new books from Restore Global SRQ.
All together, Sea Breeze Elementary families gave 20 boxes of donated goods, which was enough to fill an entire car.
Last Friday, staff members loaned their muscles and hearts to deliver the donations to AP Bell Fish Company in Cortez.
The donations were dispersed to Arcadia and Fort Myers, two areas devastated by the hurricane.
"I am so impressed and moved by how much our community cares," said Bayliss. "They are willing to help in any way they can. We are #ManateeStrong."
The local fishing community is still collecting for their fellow fishermen to the south. Please visit their Facebook page to learn more.