A child’s resilience after three hurricanes

A child’s resilience after three hurricanes

Sarasota, FL (October 15, 2024) – Milton hit Florida’s Gulf Coast last Wednesday as a category three hurricane, further decimating the coast already hit by Hurricane Helene. Hundreds of thousands remained without power as strong winds and flooding again hit the Sunshine State. Milton marks the third hurricane Florida has faced this season, making landfall less than two weeks after Helene.

To say Floridians are exhausted is an understatement. A common refrain among those working to save what remains of their homes is: “Why? Why again?” Relief measures fail and words are not enough to provide a meaningful answer. In the face of such destruction and uncertainty, how is it possible for survivors to recover? How is it possible to have hope?

Meet Max. Max lives in Sarasota, Florida, in a trailer park that suffered extensive damage during Milton’s chaotic landing. Many homes lost power and in some cases irreparable damage occurred.

Days after the event, a Salvation Army Rapid Response Unit (RRU) managed to enter the community. The crew spoke with the property manager, who led them to a small parking lot behind one of the houses. While they were setting up the feeding area, Max and his mother approached the unit. Max was on his bike riding around when the canteen arrived. The crew served them and Max helped translate their conversation. After exchanging pleasantries, the mother headed home and Max stayed to ride around.

John, one of the cafeteria workers, began going door-to-door in the neighborhood, letting residents know that hot meals were available if they wanted them. Max came along without being asked and continued translating. If one of the residents they were visiting couldn’t make it to the cafeteria, Max would take it upon himself to bike back to the unit, pick up a meal, and deliver it directly to his neighbors’ hands.

As they continued walking through the neighborhood, Max told John about his family’s journey from Cuba to the United States and how the storm had made the situation challenging for him and his mother, especially since his father had been away since the storm subsided had. Max’s father works in construction and was called back to the field to help Milton recover and rebuild. Max knows that his father does important work, but worries about him every day. The worst part is that he misses his father and wants him home safe.

But despite these worries and fears, despite enduring more than any child should, Max made a decision. He saw his family, friends and neighbors in need after the storm and helped feed them. Max served humbly and joyfully while riding his bike.

What is hope after three hurricanes? Hope, looks like Max.