Costa continues Hurricane Ian relief efforts with $50,000 donation
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Costa Sunglasses has donated $50,000 through its long-time conservation partner, Captains for Clean Water (CCW), to support the relief efforts following the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian in its home-state of Florida.
The full donation will go towards CCW’s Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to help those impacted by the hurricane to get back in their feet.
Costa, CCW and the fishing community in Florida were some of the first responders to jump into action after the disaster which hit the state in September. They have worked round the clock on rescue missions, setting up drop sites for critical supplies, clearing debris and delivering food and clean water to families in need.
“Being in Florida for the last 40 years, Costa is no stranger to hurricanes and the effects they have on our communities,” said Justin Cupps, Senior Vice President of Costa. “As soon as we learned of the magnitude of this storm, we were in close communication with our friends at CCW. It‘s been incredible to see its response and how it jumped into action to do whatever was necessary despite many of them losing their own homes.
“As a trusted partner, we are honoured to follow its lead and support our community and friends after the tremendous damage caused by Hurricane Ian.”
“Fishing guides don’t wait for someone else to take the lead on how to fix a problem – we get to work and do what needs to be done,” said CCW Co-Founder Chris Wittman. “Hurricane relief isn’t what our organisation was created to do, but since this directly impacts the people that fight with us for clean water, it’s our turn to fight that – and Costa gets that.
“Always a phone call away, Costa has been on the ground alongside us to help with emergency relief efforts since day one. We are incredibly grateful for its support and know that together we will rebuild this devastated fishing community.”
Costa was born on the waters in Florida in 1983. Since then, the brand has been committed to protecting the watery world it calls home, including hurricane relief efforts.
In 2017, after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria ravaged its coasts, Costa started #OneCoast, a programme to bring relief efforts to coastal communities affected by natural disasters through the Worldwide Angler’s Relief Fund (WARF). Founded by Costa and the International Gamefish Association (IGFA), WARF provides financial aid to local charter captains, guides and outfitters in the wake of major natural disasters.
Main picture: Costa Conservation + Community Partnerships Manager, Joe Gugino (centre) pictured with Captains For Clean Water Co-Founders Capt. Chris Wittman (left) and son, and Capt. Daniel Andrews (right)
