When Hurricane Milton spawned tornadoes across the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast in October 2024, 80-year-old Margaret knew her Martin County mobile home wasn't safe. She made the difficult decision to stay with her son during the storm—a choice that likely saved her life.
But returning home brought its own heartbreak.
The hurricane had totaled her car, damaged her central air conditioning unit beyond repair, and the repeated power outages had ruined her refrigerator. Margaret spent weeks calling agency after agency, only to hit dead ends. Eventually, she gave up.
Her solution? Move from one side of her mobile home to the other as the Florida heat shifted throughout the day, trying to find whatever relief she could.
One day, Margaret's son Brad mentioned that Catholic Charities had been helping his family with their own recovery. He encouraged his mother to reach out. That single phone call changed everything.
Our case manager, Maria Melo, assessed Margaret's situation and immediately got to work. Catholic Charities replaced her irreparable A/C unit with a new central air system, bringing cool air back into her home for the first time in months. The case manager also advocated on Margaret's behalf with the Salvation Army to secure a new refrigerator.
One month later, a brand-new fridge was delivered to Margaret's door.
Today, Margaret no longer has to chase the shade through her own home. She can store fresh food safely, stay cool through the brutal Florida summer, and focus on what matters most—living her life with dignity and comfort.
"I had given up," Margaret shared. "I didn't think anyone could help. But Catholic Charities didn't just help me—they fought for me."
Catholic Charities' disaster recovery program connects survivors with immediate relief and long-term solutions, ensuring no one faces recovery alone.
