Naples man earns state award for storm help

TALLAHASSEE — A Naples man who has spent the past two years helping hundreds of fellow residents recover from devastating hurricanes has received the governor’s thanks for his efforts.

Lawrence Rice is the latest recipient of the Points of Light, Hurricane Hero award, a weekly honor bestowed by Gov. Jeb Bush on those who have helped others cope during past hurricane seasons.

“I thank Lawrence for helping his neighbors in Collier County rebuild their homes, community and lives following the storms,” Bush said in a prepared statement Wednesday.

During the past hurricane seasons, Rice has organized hundreds of volunteers who have logged thousands of hours helping others. Through his work at the Fort Myers Church of Latter Day Saints, Rice organized more than 275 volunteers who dedicated more than 3,000 hours to helping neighbors in Lee and Collier counties, and elsewhere, recover from the busiest hurricane seasons on record.

Rice could not be reached for comment Thursday.

In preparation for Hurricane Wilma last year, Rice helped muster volunteer crews who performed more than 1,600 projects to batten down for the storm. The volunteer work included tree trimming and putting needed tarps on already leaky roofs. He also helped coordinate a partnership between volunteer groups and the local emergency management officials.

“Mr. Rice coordinated volunteers to assist first responders, immediate family, elderly and disabled individuals with home repairs and debris cleanup in the aftermath of the storm,” said Dan Summers, director of Collier County’s Bureau of Emergency Services. “When Hurricane Wilma made landfall in Collier County, Mr. Rice and his volunteers worked tirelessly to help the community recover.”

Recipients are nominated by their peers and are reviewed by a panel of judges representing public and private service agencies.