‘Designers + Builders Unite’ relief fund brings supplies, hope to Southwest Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Ian
A trio of design and construction leaders have established a community-wide relief fund to provide daily essentials and hygiene products to Southwest Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Ian.
The next Designers + Builders Unite distribution will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Dwayne Bergmann Interiors, 12195 Metro Parkway in Fort Myers.
The relief fund, Designers + Builders Unite: Rebuilding our Community Together, is raising money to purchase cases of bottled water, diapers, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, pet food, paper products, granola bars and other essentials. Designers + Builders Unite was established by Dwayne Bergmann, owner and principal designer of Dwayne Bergmann Interiors, and Stacey Callahan, publisher of Luxe Interiors + Design Florida.
During its first distribution on Oct. 2, volunteers provided supplies to families arriving in more than 500 vehicles. On Oct. 4, more than 1,000 cars came through the line before volunteers ran out of supplies. In total, Designers + Builders Unite distributed $65,500 worth of goods.
“So many Southwest Florida residents are struggling, and they need the basic essentials for everyday living,” Bergmann said. “The great part of living here is that we all struggle at times, but we always help our neighbors and come out stronger on the other end. That’s why our team wanted to become a distribution point to serve our neighbors and friends during their time of need.”
Hundreds of individuals, as well as design and construction companies, have donated and assisted in the relief efforts on the ground including Ryan Watley, president of Watlee Construction, Hobe Sound, Florida; Linda Gunn Paton, Sklar Furnishings, Boca Raton, Florida; Mike Robertson, Alexa Warner and Tim Brohawn of Fuse Specialty Appliances, North Palm Beach and Naples, Florida; and Vicki Pfeil and Ken Waite, MH Fine Hardware, Jupiter, Florida.
Designers + Builders Unite is collecting monetary donations to purchase additional supplies for future distributions. To make a secure donation to through Go Fund Me, please visit gofundme.com/f/a949s6-ian-relief-fund. For those with a foundation, a corporation, or individually prefer to contribute to a 501©(3) non-profit, a partnership with LARC, Inc. has been established. (THE TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FOR LARC, INC. IS 59-0968911, AND QUALIFIES UNDER SECTION 501©(3)) To donate to the LARC, Inc.’s HURRICANE IAN Relief Fund please click here. If you make you contribution through LARC, Inc. please designate in the comments “DBU Relief Fund.” Please know that 100% of contributions made through LARC, Inc. will be utilized, there will be no administration fees applied to these donations.
About Dwayne Bergmann Interiors
Dwayne Bergmann Interiors is a Fort Myers-based luxury interior design firm specializing in residential, kitchen and bath, and commercial design inspired by art, nature and visual curiosities. Please visit DwayneBergmann.com or call 239-344-7455 for more information.
