Thank you for being friendly, helpful and compassionate to callers. They, like us, are interested in helping the many survivors and our part is answering these calls. Remember to talk with a smile, even if the caller is frustrated, and THANK them for wanting to help others in need!
Please answer the phone: Florida Volunteer and Donation Hotline, this is (first name), how may I help you?
While serving on the hotline, please remember that you are representing the Governor’s Office and the State of Florida. Thank you for refraining from sharing your personal opinions and views.
We really appreciate your willingness to serve those impacted by the storms by serving as a volunteer call center operator. Your gift of time is really making a difference. Thank you!
C ash - Financial gifts get help to people fast. Ask before collecting items that
may not be needed. Respond by helping
a local relief
agency. Everyone can help.
Go to a local volunteer
center. We are not registering volunteers. If they are not affiliated with a disaster response agency, then the caller should be directed to a volunteer center or a volunteer reception center (VRC).
CASH: Some callers want to give cash. Our role is to offer suggestions of the various disaster relief organizations and then guide them to the organization of their choice. If they do not have a preference, then you may suggest the Florida Disaster Relief Fund.
ASK: Financial contributions are best, because they allow relief organizations to address specific needs most quickly. Yet, not everyone can help financially. This link will provide you information on specific items needed or generally needed items during times of disaster so the caller can donate goods instead of cash.
RESPOND: There are many different ways one can help during a disaster, whether by volunteering or through donations. This link will provide a listing of disaster response organizations should the caller be interested in helping a specific organization.
EVERYONE: Many disaster response organizations including the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross do not generally take untrained/spontaneous volunteers while actively engaged in a disaster response effort. This is why it is very important to educate the callers about the role they can play if they are connected to a disaster response voluntary organization before a disaster occurs.
If they are not affiliated with a disaster response agency, then the volunteer should be directed to a volunteer center or a volunteer reception center (VRC). Please check with the Call Center Manager and the Volunteer section on the Tipsheet for up to date information on volunteer reception centers.
These types of donations are best when they come from companies that can provide new items in a quantity that meets the mass care needs of victims – for example, a national water bottler is donating a truckload of canned water for victims and response workers.
Unsolicited, spontaneous donations of goods and services from individuals and community groups, although well intentioned, have hidden costs and pose a number of complications for initial relief efforts.
Encourage callers to donated food items to their local Food Bank. The Food Bank network shares food and are supporting the impacted area. For all other items:
It's still early and damage assessments are underway, once that is complete, please check www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org to see a posted list of items needed. Encourage callers not to collect items if they have not confirmed a need first.
For companies or individuals who want to offer their services/supplies at cost, they must register at www.myfloridamarketplace.com. Once there, have them click on Vendors. To register online, click on "register with MFMP". If they have any questions, they can call the MFMP Customer Service Desk at 1-866-352-3776 or via email, VendorHelp@myfloridamarket.com
Questions regarding the vendor process need to be directed to MFMP Customer Service Desk! State Agencies can only use vendors that have been registered through MFMP. Once the disaster response/recover is over, Vendors can request that their account be inactive.
If you have been affected by a disaster, this website provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being. This site has two Main Functions
List Yourself as Safe and Well: Person/Family affected by a disaster creates a safe and well registration for themselves.
Search: Concerned loved ones anywhere search for the messages posted by those who self-registered.
We are not accepting offers of temporary, discounted, subsidized or sale of housing. Thank the caller for their interest in providing the housing, but temporary housing is not a need that we have been asked to gather information on at this time.
Many disaster response organizations including the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross do not generally take untrained/spontaneous volunteers while actively engaged in a disaster response effort. This is why it is very important to educate the callers about the role they can play if they are connected to a disaster response voluntary organization before a disaster occurs.
If they are not affiliated with a disaster response agency, then the caller should be directed to a volunteer center or a volunteer reception center (VRC). Please check with the Call Center Manager and the Breaking News section for up to date information on volunteer reception centers.
Unaffiliated/Spontaneous Volunteers
VRC Locations: None at this time.
Trained Volunteers
Please wait for your disaster relief organization to contact you.
Those interested in volunteering in this area are required to have various certifications and credentials depending on their area of expertise.
Please go to www.servfl.com for information and to register. If you have further questions, please call 850-245-4746.
It is best for volunteers to get connected to a local response group, before a disaster event so they can be better utilized for future events.
Other Information
Florida Volunteer and Donation Hotline Voicemail Script
Thank you for calling the Florida Volunteer and Donation Hotline. The hotline is open daily from 8AM – 8PM Eastern Standard Time. Please visit our website at www.volunteerflorida.org to find out how you can help disaster survivors Florida. Thank you for calling.
