In the sport of ice hockey, it’s called a hat trick - three consecutive goals in the same game by one player. That was what Mother Nature achieved against its opponent Florida with Debby, Helene and Milton. With counties on the Gulf Coast sustaining the most damage, Daytona Beach communities experienced flooding as well, with power outages and downed trees. Thousands of homes were affected causing more than 267 million dollars of damage to the area due to Hurricane Milton.

And that is where the American Red Cross stepped in. For a week, Red Cross volunteers from all over the country worked hand in hand with Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church of Daytona to serve hot meals to members of the community, a church that considers its residents part of the family.

Pastor Eddie Lake is no stranger to hurricanes. A native of Tarpon Springs, Florida on the Gulf Coast, he has experienced some of the worst storms. Moving to Daytona Beach just last year, he established a relationship with Red Cross Space Coast Chapter Executive Director LaTonya Daniel, first, at a Daytona Beach NAACP meeting, and then at a Red Cross “Sound the Alarm” event installing smoke alarms in the same community impacted by the storm.

Thanking Red Cross partner Cracker Barrel restaurant, Daniel recognizes the need after the storm passes.

“It’s important for us to be here,” Daniel said. “Our mission states that we’re here to alleviate suffering and help the most vulnerable.”

With the help of all partners throughout the state, a total of 460,000 meals and snacks have been provided thus far.

Pastor Lake realizes one organization can’t do alone, because several low-lying communities within the city are prone to flooding. Neighborhoods that are home to retirees on fixed incomes and mobile home parks were left heavily damaged.

“We can’t mitigate everything, but we can help as much as we possibly can,” he said. “Because of your services and our partnership, we can reach a lot more families."

Lake recognizes the impact the Red Cross has on his church’s efforts to serve those in need. “The swiftness, the quickness, the care and the concern that you all responded with has been absolutely pleasing. It’s just pure joy and excitement helping folks the best that we possibly can.”

With help from partners, the American Red Cross is reaching out to offer relief and support so that no one faces this tough time alone.

Tuesday night, more than 2,000 people were still staying in shelters across the affected states. We encourage anyone who needs aid to come to a shelter, you don’t have to stay overnight to get help. In shelters, disaster health volunteers are caring for minor injuries and replacing things like eyeglasses and medications and mental health volunteers are providing comfort to those affected.

Disaster kitchens are up and running, and dozens of Red Cross response vehicles are on the roads delivering those hot meals along with water and supplies to people struggling to clean up their homes. With the help of partners, we’ve provided some 2.3 million meals and snacks, and some 69,000 relief items like cleaning and hygiene supplies for thousands of affected families across five states.

In many areas, trained Red Cross damage assessment teams are working with partners to detail the scope of the destruction. This critical information will be used to make plans for what support — including financial assistance — families may need in the coming weeks and months.

We’ve received more than 11,500 inquiries about missing loved ones and Red Cross reunification teams are working nonstop to help. If you need assistance, visit redcross.org/helene.