Daytona Beach-based Costa Sunglasses gave a $50,000 donation to help with Florida’s hurricane relief at the Captains for Clean Water annual Restore Gala on Nov. 4 in Fort Myers, Fla.
The full donation will go toward the organization’s Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to help those impacted by Hurricane Ian get back on their feet, according to Costa.
Hurricane Ian slammed into the lower Gulf side of Florida Sept. 28, causing cataclysmic damage throughout the area, especially in the Boca Grande, Charlotte Harbor and Ft. Myers region.
Captains for Clean Water and the fishing community in Florida were some of the first responders to get into action after the hurricane. They worked tirelessly during rescue missions, setting up drop sites for critical supplies, clearing debris, and delivering food and clean water to families in need.
But recovery will be a long one, and Captains for Clean Water with companies like Costa are in it for the long haul, they say.
“Fishing guides don’t wait for someone else to take the lead on how to fix a problem, we get to work and do what needs to be done,” says Captains for Clean Water co-founder, Chris Wittman. “Hurricane relief isn’t what our organization was created to do, but since this directly impacts the people that fight with us for clean water, it’s our turn to fight for them.
“Costa has been alongside us to help with emergency relief efforts since day one. We’re incredibly grateful for their ongoing support, and know that together, we will rebuild this devastated fishing community.”
Captains for Clean Water is a grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and protecting water resources. Fishing guides started the group in 2016 to advance science-based solutions through efforts focused on awareness and education, empowering people to speak up for water quality and hold elected officials accountable.
“Being in Florida for the past 40 years, Costa is no stranger to hurricanes and the effects they have on our communities,” said Justin Cupps, Senior Vice President at Costa. “As soon as we learned the magnitude of this storm, we were in close communication with our friends at Captains For Clean Water. It’s been incredible to see their response, and how they immediately jumped into action to do whatever was necessary, despite many of them losing their own homes. As a trusted partner, we’re honored to follow their lead and support our community and friends after the tremendous damage Hurricane Ian caused.”
For information about how to help Hurricane Ian relief work through Captains for Clean Water Emergency Relief Fund, visit captainsforcleanwater.org.
