The City of St. Petersburg, in collaboration with the Pinellas Community Foundation, has launched the We Are St. Pete Fund to support disaster relief efforts for residents, small businesses, and city employees recovering from Hurricane Helene. The fund offers donors the option to designate their contributions, ensuring that all donations go directly to those affected by the storm.

Mayor Kenneth T. Welch emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Many of our St. Pete residents and small businesses are facing devastation after Hurricane Helene—now is the time to come together as a community.” He added that the We Are St. Pete Fund will not only address immediate recovery needs but also lay the foundation for future preparedness. “I encourage those who can to give; every contribution will help us rebuild.”

The Fund receives big pledges from local organizations

The City of St. Petersburg has already contributed $200,000 to the fund. The first $100,000 will cover administrative costs, ensuring that 100 percent of individual donations will directly support disaster survivors. The remaining $100,000 will be allocated to those in need of disaster relief.

The fund has also received significant pledges of $100,000 each from The Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete, the Tampa Bay Rays, and local residents Trevor Burgess and Gary Hess, further boosting efforts to aid the community’s recovery.