‘Hurricane Heroes’ recognized by Kathy Castor for helping others after Helene, Milton
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Several Good Samaritans were honored by Congresswoman Kathy Castor on Friday as "hurricane heroes" for their efforts to help neighbors recover following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
During a ceremony at 3 Daughters Brewing in St. Petersburg, Castor commended Courtney and Brad Stein of Riviera Bay, Matt Thorn of Shore Acres and Kevin Batdorf, the Shore Acres Neighborhood Association president, after they became community lynchpins in the aftermath of the back-to-back storms.
"It really takes someone with a special heart to do that, to put aside what you're going through personally and then that and just to pour that energy into something positive," said Castor.
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Despite seeing their own home damaged by almost four feet of water, the Steins organized a massive supply drive that saw donations come in from across the country.
"We ended up getting truckloads of supplies delivered," said Courtney Stein. "We filled our home from living floor to ceiling, all 1600 square feet of tools, clothing, cleaning supplies, toiletries."
The Steins also organized hundreds of volunteers, who helped countless families begin repairing their homes.
Thorn, meanwhile, also was forced out of his home due to flooding, but that didn't stop him from putting together a central location for storm victims to find supplies and a hot meal. It became known as the Relief Market and Grill, and it continues to be a location for community members to find help.
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"It's just grown into this massive relief market and grill, being a hub for supplies, and we did breakfast, lunch and dinner," Thorn said. "It's turned into a connection point, and I couldn't be happier for the fact that we were able to provide that for the community."
Thorn, however, doesn't consider himself a hero.
"I think everybody has a level of hero in them. It's the humanity of it. That's what drives anybody to do it," he said.
"I think coming together is important, because we need each other in times like this," added Courtney Stein.
Last month, Castor also recognized three students at Lanier Elementary School in Tampa as hurricane heroes.
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