Organization provides help during emergencies

Despite a very limited budget, "No Person Left Behind" is still reaching out to the disabled during disasters.

The program is operating on a $1,000 grant and various community donations. Still, executive director Linda Carter is running seminars, talking to group homes and handing out truckloads of brochures.

"We're still moving on," she said. "We're the national model for what we are doing. We provide tons of free FEMA materials. Last year we gave away 13 tons of material through the Lehigh Postal Service. We expect to top that this year."

The organization was founded to help seniors and those with disabilities during disasters. Although there are shelters opened for those with special needs during hurricanes, Carter said her services are targeted towards those with less severe disabilities.

"These people may not be frail," she said. "Emergency Management may not even know they exist. We may be talking someone with a developmental disability or mobility impairment. These people are not medically frail."

During past hurricanes, Carter and her staff have provided ice to the homes of those registered with the program and needing to keep medication cold. She is also working right now to develop a relationship with Kiwanis Club. Carter said the goal is to link services in a way that those who are registered with the program can obtain assistance when it comes time to put up hurricane shutters.

In an effort to get the word out about "No Person Left Behind," Carter is offering presentations nearly every week. Although hurricane season is the organization's busiest time of the year, Carter is trying to get the word out and make people aware that services are available year-round, regardless of the type of emergency.

"She had a presentation here and gave out so much material," said Roberta Noland, area manager of LARC in Bonita Springs. "I think it was a great presentation."

For more information, visit www.nopersonleftbehind.org