The Osceola Council on Aging opened its doors as an Emergency Special Needs Shelter on Tuesday, September 27th at 2:00 pm in anticipation of Hurricane Ian passing through Central Florida. While in operation, the Council on Aging provided shelter for over 100 Osceola County special needs residents.

The massive amount of flooding that came left many of these residents with no home to return to. The Osceola County Office of Emergency Management, along with its partners, made the decision to consolidate all county-wide shelter services by relocating them to Osceola Heritage Park (For special needs residents) and to the Kissimmee Civic Center (for the general population).

With the official closing of the special needs shelter at the Council On Aging on Sunday, October 2nd at 5:00 pm, the organization returned to business as normal as of Monday, October 3rd. The council is now helping with minor home repairs, and providing non-perishable and Meals on Wheels for their clients.

Along with monetary donations, the Council On Aging is accepting tarps, water, and non-perishable food items at 700 Generation Point in Kissimmee.

For useful post-hurricane resources, visit www.osceola.org/go/hurricane.