FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Kendra Oestreich
On the Eve of Hurricane Helene’s Anniversary, Tampa Bay Rays and Webull Partner with Rebuilding Together Greater Florida to Restore Hurricane-Damaged Home
One year after back-to-back hurricanes, volunteers rally around a Seminole family still recovering from storm damage
SEMINOLE, FL — One day before the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene, volunteers with the Tampa Bay Rays and Webull teamed up with Rebuilding Together Greater Florida (RTGFL) to restore a Seminole family’s home damaged by Hurricane Milton.
Ronald and Nisa Bharath have been living with lingering storm damage since Milton hit—less than two weeks after Helene last year. With Nisa, 59, recovering from back surgery and repairs piling up, the couple is grateful for the community stepping in to help.
“We’ve faced a long road over the past year, and it’s been overwhelming to handle these repairs on our own,” said Nisa Bharath. “Seeing so many people come together to help reminds us that we’re part of a caring community, and that means everything to us.”
On Thursday, volunteers rolled up their sleeves to landscape and paint the home. Later this month, RTGFL will also replace windows and drywall, and install nonslip tiles to further improve the home’s safety.
Jose Garcia, CEO of Rebuilding Together Greater Florida said, “Last year, our community suffered from these storms, and the impacts are still being felt today. It takes everyone coming together to help families fully recover. Nearly a year after the hurricanes, this collaboration shows the strength of community partnerships in continuing to rebuild homes and lives.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO & SOUND + PHOTOS
Courtesy: RTGFL
Across Tampa Bay, reports reveal nearly 10,000 homes were flagged as “substantially damaged” after last year’s storms, and many still require major repairs. This hands-on support shows homeowners like the Bharaths that they are not facing recovery alone.
Anthony Rioles, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, Tampa Bay Rays, said, “The Rays are proud to support local families. Being here today, almost a year after two devastating storms, is a powerful reminder that recovery is a long game, and we all have a role to play in supporting our neighbors. It’s inspiring to see everyone pitching in to make a needed effort.”
In addition to making critical repairs, this project reflects the ongoing commitment of RTGFL’s mission to help keep families safe and stable. By combining volunteer power with corporate support, community partnerships can close the gap for struggling homeowners who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
“At Webull, we know how important it is to support the communities where we live and work. Being part of this rebuilding effort is incredibly meaningful—it’s about helping a family feel safe, supported, and hopeful again,” said Carlos Questell, Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Partnerships at Webull.
###
About Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, formerly known as Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay
Celebrating 25 years of service, Rebuilding Together Greater Florida repairs homes, revitalizes communities, and rebuilds lives. We provide free critical repairs, safety upgrades, affordable housing, and education while leading long-term disaster recovery and relief efforts across Southwest, Northern, and Central Florida. Designated the lead affiliate after Hurricane Ian, RTGFL will continue helping with hurricane recovery efforts for the most vulnerable to rebuild stronger, safer homes. Learn more at www.rtgfl.org.
About the Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays mission is to energize the community through the magic of Rays baseball. The organization is committed to building a strong community bond through meaningful interactions and charitable donations and has proudly represented Major League Baseball since 1998.
About Webull Corporation
Webull Corporation (NASDAQ: BULL) owns and operates Webull, a leading digital investment platform built on next-generation global infrastructure. Through its global network of licensed brokerages, Webull offers investment services in 14 markets across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. Webull serves more than 24 million registered users globally, providing retail investors with 24/7 access to global financial markets. Users can put investment strategies to work by trading global stocks, ETFs, options, futures, fractional shares, and digital assets through Webull’s trading platform, which seamlessly integrates market data and information, its user community, and investor education resources. Learn more at www.webullcorp.com.
