GPIA discusses progress being made on island | News, Sports, Jobs … – Pine Island Eagle

The Greater Pine Island Alliance, which was founded following Hurricane Ian, held its monthly meeting July 18 at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church covering a number of topics.

According to co-founder American Legion Post Commander Aaron Barreda, a $5,000 grant was given to the GPIA organization by Week of Compassion Christian Church as well as $15,000 from the Red Cross. Tammy Sager was introduced as GPIA Disaster Resource Coordinator. Barreda reported a pause on the placing of temporary storage containers.

Pathfinder Mission did end up moving back to Texas, however, in that time, they provided us with all of their information on how to build the sheds so we are looking forward in August to get back up and being able to put these storage containers back out for folks and being able to offer that again, Barreda said.

To date, he said, the GPIA has put together over 51 temporary storage containers and they continue to seek donations. The cost of a temporary container is approximately $750. Earlier in July there was a group of volunteers from Johns Creek Presbyterian Church in Georgia, who donated over 550 hours of labor to Pine Island. Honc Industries was instrumental in obtaining much needed dumpsters, which the Beacon of Hope helped fund.

We love the partners and the great face we have here, between the industry and other non-profits that we can continue to support the community, Barreda said.

GPIA Executive Director Erin Lollar-Lambert reported the Pine Island Water Association has gotten an 8,400-gallon diesel tanker as well as a rental generator for use until December of this year, as a replacement generator is currently on order.

Our water association is one of the better-run, more community focused water organizations ever, Lollar-Lambert said.

Barreda announced the GPIA is currently accepting $10 membership fees in an effort to solidify the role of the organization. Ongoing collaboration with Rebuild Together continues, Barreda said, as the organization is currently seeking office space on Pine Island, as long-term recovery is likely for the next several years. The organization has begun to focus on assisting the Palms Community, he said, as they have dedicated staff to complete projects there.

Whether its your neighbor, your friend or somebody else in the Greater Pine Island area, please go on the website just let us know who needs help and well work with these great partners, like Rebuild and True Blue, to get the help out there that they need, Barreda said.

Continuous partnership in the community, via the Pine Island Water Association and the Matlacha Hookers, has allowed the GPIA to acquire 2 of the 6 Starlink satellites needed for future communication, in the event of another catastrophe, Barreda said.

Regional Director for United Methodist Committee on Relief Simone Monaco reported they have been on Pine Island since December 2022. She has an office, she said, at the Pine Island United Methodist Church, 5701 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922. Anyone in need of help is invited to go and see her there. Any work done on someones home will need to be referenced with a receipt, as all financial requests must be accounted for. However, financial position has no bearing on whether someone qualifies to receive assistance, she said.

Lollar-Lambert emphasized the communication shared between islanders, both individually and those involved with organizations, such as, GPIA, UMCOR, FEMA and Project Hope.

There is a collaboration between everyone on the island. There is no island on this island. We all talk, all the time we all work together, Lollar-Lambert said.

FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison Task Force Lead and Supervisory Emergency Management Specialist Chartonna CeCe Woodley said a lot of people who believed they would be covered by insurance were initially denied assistance. She maintains that there are ways to receive needed funding through FEMA.

For additional information on GPIA membership, donations or to receive updates via newsletter, visit, GPIALLIANCE.org.

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GPIA discusses progress being made on island | News, Sports, Jobs ... - Pine Island Eagle