The top thing hurricane-ravaged areas need right now? Cleanup help. The Young Professionals Network (YPN) will answer their call this Sat.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Areas of Southwest Florida need strong backs and willing hands to help them complete their first step to recovery: Cleaning up the mess left in Hurricane Ian’s wake.

Florida Realtors Young Professionals Network (YPN) will respond to their call of help this Saturday, Oct. 22. Working with the volunteer-organizing group Crisis Cleanup, YPN volunteers will do whatever they can, everything from debris removal to tarping roofs and more.

But YPN could use even more volunteers. To lend a hand and some Realtor heart, volunteers can check in by contacting one of the YPN people organizing the cleanup effort. Sign up: floridarealtors.org/YPN-help

“Now is the time to pull together. Each person who helps will make a huge difference in someone else’s life,” says Hollie Billero Buldo, chair of Florida Realtors YPN and a broker-associate with Billero & Billero Properties in Vero Beach.

The first step on Saturday is to meet in Fort Myers:

• When: Oct. 22, no later than 9:30 a.m.
• Where: Lee County Sports Complex
• Address: 4100 6-mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912

What supplies do I need? Bring your own food and water, and wear clothes that can get dirty.  Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are recommended. Gloves, helmets and tools will be provided.

What are the age restrictions? Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.

What can I expect? The work will likely be rigorous, and because it’s a disaster-recovery area, there may be safety risks. Trained crew chiefs will be on hand to provide guidance.

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