PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — A Pinellas County group that activated in the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton is offering those most affected by the devastating storms a way to celebrate the holidays despite losing everything.
Rescue Pinellas is hosting a free artificial Christmas tree lot on Nov. 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Clear Labs, 2529 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. The group will also offer boxed ornaments and lights to those in need in the months following the
“I still drive through St. Petersburg and see the debris sitting outside people’s houses and their tarps and people living in their RVs in driveways – and they’re the lucky ones – and, yeah, these people need help this holiday season,” Jenn Greacen, the group’s founder, told Patch.
Greacen is a Seminole resident whose 5-acre property was damaged in both storms and who was on the phone as her sister’s Redington Beach home was ravaged by storm surge during Helene.
She formed the organization in the early hours the morning after Helene impacted the greater Tampa Bay area, organizing rescues from the barrier island communities and then bringing needed supplies there.
The work continues in the weeks and months following the storms as people continue to rebuild their homes or learn from insurance companies if they’re even able to, Greacen said.
“For many families, replacing Christmas decorations is not the priority,” she added. “We’re just trying to do something that takes the heat off the obvious, which is everything sucks and we have to clean up and keep up with renovations and some people aren’t even sure yet if they can renovate. Now, it’s the holidays and they’ve lost all their decorations.”
The group is accepting donations of boxed artificial trees and decorations on Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Seminole Chamber of Commerce. Additional drop-off dates are set for Monday, 8:30 to 11 a.m., and Tuesday, 1 to 4 p.m., at Clear Labs.
They’re also accepting donations to purchase new artificial Christmas trees and other decor for the giveaway.
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