Friends Helping Friends. What is it?
And how does it affect you the residents of Mid Florida Lakes?
Several years ago, an organization “Friends Helping Friends” was created to assist a resident in a time of financial need; however, since it is a grant, not a loan to be repaid, it can only be used one time during a person’s residency and to qualify there are certain procedures and some restrictions.
The following is a description of the policies that were instituted on November 1, 2015: the Chairperson of the Friends Helping Friends Committee requesting monies/food gift cards will follow the procedure as outlined below.
The Chairperson is the first point of contact. All others on the committee will refer any requests to the Chairperson. (To respect and keep confidentiality, a friend or associate of the resident cannot request any funds, nor can the Chairperson solicit this person. It can only be requested by the resident themselves.) The Chairperson will ask the resident the reason for the request, the amount requested and the name of the individual, or agency the check will be made out to, along with a copy of the bill to be paid. (Examples: car repairs, utility bills, glasses, etc.)
A confidential log will be kept by the Chairperson for the purpose of keeping track of the usage, the reason, and the amount. There is a limited maximum of up to 10 percent of the current bank account available, as we want to have monies available to others who may need assistance. (Note, as the fund or bank balance goes down, so do the available funds. Example, if a resident requests money and there is x amount of dollars in the fund, the total available will be reduced by that amount, and a lower amount available to the next recipient.) By the same token, if funds are replenished, a higher amount may be available for the next resident.
The Treasurer of the HOA/FHF is notified of said request by the Chairperson or in their absence, the designated substitute, the name of the agency/individual to which the check is to be made. The name of the resident is not given to the Treasurer, nor to any of the other committee members. The Chairperson presents the check to the resident who will then be responsible for giving it to the appropriate agency or business.
If the request is for food: The Chairperson will request the name of the grocery store where the resident shops and request the HOA Treasurer to issue a check to said grocery store. The Chairperson will go to the named store, purchase a gift card, and present it to the resident.
In the event of a catastrophic event in which there is a total loss within the community, the Chairperson will notify the Treasurer of the HOA to issue a check, not to exceed the 10 percent of the current account. The check will be written to the resident, once it is established the resident plans to continue to live within the community of Mid Florida Lakes. This will enable the resident to get emergency essentials quicker.
Any *resident who requests assistance from Friends Helping Friends must meet the required one-year residency. and any requested funds cannot be used to pay a resident’s rent.
*For the determination of all monies/food gift cards dispersed by Friends Helping Friends, all references to “RESIDENT” are defined by the words, “Whomever is the person responsible for paying the lot rent residency fees.” Any other person within the household is not eligible to request or receive funds/food or gift cards.
Our funds are limited so any donations to Friends Helping Friends are gratefully appreciated and accepted.
Gay Connors, Chairperson FHF
The definition of a friend:
People who show love and compassion in times of trouble,
without thought of glory or reward.
