Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice Inc. marked the third anniversary of Hurricane Ian with a gathering of social service groups which have been at the forefront of leading the recovery for families impacted by the storm in 2022.
The event, which took place at the Callaboratory in downtown Fort Myers Sept. 26, 2025, was led by Catholic Charities’ own Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG).
The Long Term Recovery Group provided case management services which placed individuals and families seeking help with the right social service agency to help make their recovery easier. This included debris removal, putting tarps on roofs, rapid-rehousing, offering basic supplies of food and water, as well as many other resources.
Melissa Reeves, who runs the LTRG, said the gathering on the anniversary was a celebration of how far the community has come since the Category 4 storm, packing 155 mph winds and up to 15 feet of storm surge, devastated Lee County.
“We all came together as a community of non-profit organizations to make a difference for people who lost everything,” Reeves said. “This is an opportunity to thank our partners and look forward to the future.”
That next phase includes continuing to help people impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton from 2024. “Some of the people we helped after Ian were impacted a second and even a third time. Because it takes time for financial resources to flow to the area in need, money to help those struggling after Helene and Milton are only now arriving.”
Christopher Root, CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, expressed his gratitude for the hard work and dedication of the members of the LTRG and the Lee County Catholic Charities offices who were on the front lines offering assistance to their neighbors while they themselves were struggling.
If you would like to learn more about Catholic Charities or would like to offer your support, please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org.
