A convoy of relief supplies departed from Foley on Friday, Oct. 18, headed to Florida to aid victims of Hurricane Milton.

The effort followed a week of collection drives organized by local city officials and residents, culminating in a united show of support for their neighbors to the south.

The relief effort, spearheaded by city employees and volunteers, was based out of Foley United Methodist Church. Residents dropped off donations at the church, which also served as a storage facility for the items. The collection drive began on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and included supplies purchased with funds from the Foley City Council, as well as contributions from the public.

City employees and volunteers loaded the vehicles with donated supplies before the convoy set out for Tampa, Florida, the designated collection point. The convoy included two Foley Police Department vehicles, two Public Works Department vehicles and a rented truck driven by employees from both the Public Works and Parks departments. The truck, filled with donated supplies, represented a collective effort to provide assistance to Floridians in the aftermath of the storm.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich emphasized the importance of the mission, noting that Foley residents understand the impact of storms firsthand.

“Foley has been blessed in many ways over the years,” Hellmich said. “We have received help ourselves after experiencing the effects of disasters. Our helping our neighbors in Florida is the right thing to do.”

He also praised the dedication of city workers and volunteers who made the relief effort possible. “A big thank you to our team for delivering those supplies,” Hellmich added.

The convoy was scheduled to return to Foley on Saturday after successfully delivering the supplies, completing a week-long endeavor aimed at helping those affected by Hurricane Milton.