FORT PIERCE - St. Lucie INTACT was one of 15 groups recognized as an exemplary nonprofit partner in hurricane recovery at the Governor's Hurricane Conference in Fort Lauderdale last week.

Coordinated by Stefanie Myers, assistant director of St. Lucie County's Community Services Department, St. Lucie INTACT (An Inspired Network to Achieve Community Together) was honored for its work with long-term recovery, with grants and assistance from the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund. The St. Lucie INTACT board is made up of area nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity, Treasure Coast Food Bank, Mustard Seed Ministries and others.

"The heart of Florida lies in the dedicated leadership of our nonprofit partners," said Liza McFadden, president of Volunteer Florida Foundation, managers of the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund. "The dedication of these organizations helped ensure our success in recovery from the devastating 2004 and 2005 seasons, including leading our long-term recovery in their prospective areas and securing housing for Floridians following FEMA's closeout of temporary housing. Disaster recovery is a tedious process that takes great resolve. We applaud these nonprofit leaders and thank them for their tireless efforts in helping our neighbors in need."

INTACT, the St. Lucie County Long-Term Recovery Organization, was established as a result of the 2004 hurricanes. A Long-Term Recovery Organization is a local group that brings together organizations providing goods, services, and resources to assist those with long-term unmet needs following a disaster. The mission of St. Lucie INTACT is to strengthen disaster coordination by sharing information, simplifying resident access to services, and by bringing together collaborative leadership to address the long-term needs for recovery and rehabilitation of individuals and families vulnerable to disaster events. Two years after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, St. Lucie INTACT has moved from a position of rehabilitation and recovery to one of prevention and mitigation.

INTACT relies on grants and donations from governmental entities, manufacturers, businesses, foundations, and concerned citizens in order to help the residents of St. Lucie County. Volunteers are always needed, and general meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend. For more information about St. Lucie INTACT call (772) 462-1777 or visit: www.stlucieco.gov/community/intact.htm.

The Florida Disaster Recovery Fund (formerly the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund) was founded in 2004 to provide assistance to hurricane survivors for losses not covered by immediate recovery groups, insurance or government funding. The Fund is managed by nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation, under the direction of Gov. Charlie Crist. In the 2004 and 2005 seasons, the Fund raised nearly $24 million in private donations, granted to more than 300 nonprofits working in recovery. Volunteers provided 1,116,610 hours of service, which translates into an in-kind value of more than $20 million.

As Florida approaches the 2007 hurricane season, please refer often to www.FLADisasterFund.org for news and information on disaster preparedness and recovery, and to discover how you can get involved.