TAMPA, Fla. — The leader of the nonprofit Cairo and Friends and his family have been displaced twice following back-to-back hurricanes.

What You Need To Know

  • The leader of the nonprofit Cairo and Friends and his family have been displaced twice

  • Ryan Hayes, also known as "Mr. Ruff," runs Cairo’s Garage, what he calls an inflation-proof shop

  • He is fully stocked for the holiday season and plans to help 20 families with Christmas gifts

  • Anyone in need of discounted supplies or assistance with Christmas gifts, please contact Cairo and Friends at 813-323-1040

During Hurricane Helene, floodwaters destroyed their home, which forced them to relocate to a friend’s home.

Around two weeks later, that home was also damaged by Hurricane Milton. 

Ryan Hayes, also known as "Mr. Ruff," runs Cairo’s Garage, what he calls an inflation-proof shop. 

Items from home goods to baby formula to toys are exchanged for monetary donations.

He is fully stocked for the holiday season. 

“We’ve got Christmas already situated, “ said Hayes. “Our donors are very pleased with what we're doing, and we already have about 20 Christmas trees to go. ”

Hayes said he is ready to make this season better for families that were devastated by back-to-back storms, including his. A licensed therapist, he salvaged what he could after the storms.

“People have been holding on for dear life of paying rent, electricity, bills, insurance, you name it," he said. "Then, we have a natural disaster that completely strips an individual or family from where they were. It's detrimental. And just the overall mental health really needs to be addressed."

Despite losing his home, Hayes has found a way to continue addressing those needs by keeping his business of the last five and a half years open.

“We have some baby food formula. We got some pillows. We got tile collections over there,” Hayes said.

Brandon Clark is a repeat customer who was also impacted by the storms.

“Between the home goods and, you know, the plates and some of the dishes and stuff, we were definitely impacted by the storm," Clark said. "He has helped us 1,000%."

Hayes also offers the community access to trained therapy dogs. 

“We use them for alternative decompression therapy, which is implementing a certified and trained therapy dog,” he said.

It’s an overwhelming time, according to the nonprofit leader who is seeking volunteers and a new space for his business, while also trying to rebuild his home. 

“I’m advising individuals that it's OK to ask for help, and that I need to be on the recipient’s side,” said Hayes.

Anyone in need of discounted supplies or assistance with Christmas gifts, can contact Cairo and Friends at 813-323-1040.