If you walked into Mango Rita's Rhythm House of Fort Myers ice cream shop in mid-October, you might have thought it was a supply closet.
After Hurricane Helene, owner J.J. converted the shop into storage for boxes of hurricane relief items.
"We have gloves that you definitely need for when you're tearing up drywall or cleaning up the mess of a disaster of mud after a storm," said J.J.
J.J. and her former employee, Ant, posted to social media encouraging donations.
What they thought would be a few donations turned out to be a few thousand.
"In 24 hours, I would say, maybe, 5,000 boxes were donated," said J.J. "In this few weeks time, we've had a total of 13,000 boxes delivered."
These boxes were donated by folks all around the country and then driven by J.J. and her husband, Jason, across Florida and North Carolina to churches to hand out the supplies.
"Everyone needs it, especially going through it ourselves. We want to be able to help and help as much as we can. We know the feeling of helpless and hopeless," said J.J.
The couple lost their livelihood after Hurricane Ian. The hurricane destroyed their original Mango Rita's business on Fort Myers Beach. Their home and other belongings were gone overnight.
That feeling of helplessness also fuels volunteer Katrina.
"I think I was sent a message from maybe a higher ground that says, 'You can't dwell on things. The only thing you can do is help,'" said Katrina.
Letters of hope written by donors around the country keep spirits high.
"This one says, 'Hope this small donation helps in any way possible. Wish there was so much more we could do from up here in New York, but know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless from the Ryan Family,'" said Katrina.
One thing J.J., Jason and Katrina have learned is that in giving, you also receive.
"Just to make someone else feel good," said J.J. "It's a good feeling."
J.J. and Jason's last trip to deliver relief supplies after hurricanes Helene and Milton was Oct. 24 to St. Petersburg. The couple delivered over 2,000 boxes that day.