June Update: Ends & Beginnings
Hey friends,
June has felt like the end of one chapter — and the quiet beginning of the next.
We wrapped up our last bit of on-site work this month, gathering the remaining tools and supplies we had stationed in Pensacola. Everything is now stored safely, ready for the next time we’re called to show up and help. It was a bittersweet moment — a reminder of how far we’ve come, how much ground we’ve covered, and how deeply we’ve been shaped by this experience.
And although we’ve officially removed our tools and supplies from Pensacola, we’re not gone. We still plan to return from time to time for specific, planned projects — and in some cases, we may assist by coordinating with or hiring local contractors to keep the work going. More than that, we’ll absolutely be back just to visit and spend time with the incredible friends and family we’ve found here.
🛠 Laying the Foundation (Internally)
Behind the scenes, we’ve been doing a lot of internal work to build a stronger future for NAONE. This month, we finalized key paperwork, organized our records, and created our first official yearly budget — a major step in helping us operate with clarity, vision, and transparency.
We’ve also been dreaming big — asking ourselves what this organization could look like beyond disaster response. And out of that, some powerful ideas have started to take shape:
🌱 New Ideas We're Growing
As part of our annual budget planning, we’ve started carving out space for future projects and programs that reflect the heart of NAONE — bringing help, healing, and hope to people who need it. Some of the ideas in development:
Community Disaster Relief Training:
Equipping everyday people with the tools and knowledge to respond when crisis strikes their own neighborhoodsMobile Solar Trailer Unit:
Outfitting a trailer with solar power to provide electricity in disaster zones — for refrigeration, charging stations, and medical supportMedia for Kids Program:
Collecting used tablets and devices, loading them with music, shows, and movies, and distributing them to kids affected by disasters to offer relief and distractionLow-Income Home Repair Fund:
Supporting families with urgent repair needs in between disasters, especially in rural and underserved areasCreative Fundraisers:
Hosting things like trail rides, t-shirt campaigns, and outdoor events to raise funds while building communityVolunteer Training & Gear Investment:
Making sure our team is prepared, safe, and equipped for any environment
These aren’t just ideas. They’re the seeds of what’s next.
🎂 A Quiet Hero, Celebrated
This month we also had the absolute joy of celebrating someone who would never ask for it — a local man who’s done more for this community (and for us) than we could ever repay.
He’s the kind of guy who shows up without needing a reason, always helping others, never expecting anything in return. For his birthday, we got to spend a day with him and the community at his home and barn — cleaning, organizing, and just being together. It was our way of saying: we see you. We’re thankful for you. And we hope you feel loved.
He wouldn’t want us to name him here. So we’ll just say this: your heart, your grit, and your quiet generosity have changed us.
Thank you.
🔭 Looking Ahead
As we look to the second half of 2025, we’re filled with a new kind of excitement. The kind that comes when something shifts — when the foundation is set, and the next build begins.
This past year has been full of hard work, heartbreak, healing, and miracles. But we believe this next chapter will be just as meaningful.
Thank you for walking with us — through the storm, through the mud, through the joy. The best is still to come.
