CORTEZ, Fla. — In the wake of the devastating floods from Hurricane Helene, many were left with nothing inside their homes, including all of their appliances.

One man is getting a much-needed gift, thanks to the Blessing Bags Project, a nonprofit currently helping hurricane victims in Cortez.

Betsy Plante is the coordinator for the nonprofit and says most of the people living in Sunny Shores Park are elderly, and need help.

“I always trying to be a good steward of what’s given to us,” she said. “We have a whole signup list here. So if somebody needs a refrigerator, if they need a dehumidifier, small appliances, toaster, other things like that, they come in and they sign up for it.”

Recently, Plante was able to deliver a special ordered refrigerator to JD White who is a Sunny Shores Park resident and has cerebral palsy.

“This is for you, honey. Made just for you; you deserve it,” said Plante as she was delivering the fridge.

“Oh, thank you, thank you,” said White. “Because of my disability, I don’t drive, so it’s harder for me to get things, harder to get around.”

White’s home was gutted due to Hurricane Helene.

“This was the worst storm,” he said. “I didn’t leave because I didn’t think it would be that bad.”

Items like the refrigerator are what White needs before he can move back home.

“This house is my world, my sanctuary,” he said.

Other residents in of need meals, cleaning supplies or hygiene products can head to the clubhouse to the Sunny Shores Park Clubhouse.

Volunteers will be serving meals every day from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and then will be accepting donations from the community.

Here is a current list of the most needed donations:

Location: Sunny Shores Park Club House 36th Ave W & 117th St. W

• Laundry detergent
• Dinty Moore meals
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Bactine, which is a pain reliever
• Dish soap
• Black contractor bags
• Empty spray bottles