Bring Betty Back to Bayside

As told by Betty's granddaughter, Layla:

I am sure you are aware of the unfathomable decimation that Hurricane Ian caused to Southwest Florida. For the past 40 years, my grandmother, Betty Cope, has lived in Fort Myers Beach. I cannot say that anymore…that my grandmother lives in Fort Myers Beach because, as of Wednesday, September 28th, there is nowhere left intact for her to live. Her once beautiful home is now destroyed. Her furniture and all of her belongings have been thrashed around the house. Windows broken, metal debris from roofing and siding now scattered among her once perfectly manicured landscaping. What was supposed to be a week of joy as she prepared to celebrate her 94th birthday quickly turned into a week of despair. Most of us are fortunate enough not to know what it is like to walk out of our houses on a random Tuesday morning, turn off the lights, lock the door, and back out of the driveway, only to return 48 hours later to discover that everything we own has been destroyed. Sadly, this scenario quickly became a reality for Betty this week. We are asking for your help so that she can begin rebuilding her home and her life. In the coming weeks and months, she will have an immediate need for essentials such as shelter, clothing, food, and personal items before facing the long, daunting task of rebuilding the home she once shared with her late husband of 74 years.

Betty is the kind of woman that makes you want to be the best version of yourself. The world is a better place because she is in it, and everyone that knows her knows that they are better for it. We took a family vacation to visit her in July; before our trip, I asked my 6-year-old son what he was most excited to do when we got to Florida. His reply was not what you would expect from a child; it was not going to the beach, the pool, catching lizards etc. He said, “give Grammie a hug.” Even at his young age, he recognized the comfort that simply being in her presence provided.

Shortly after our summer visit, Betty fell and fractured her knee, requiring emergency knee replacement surgery followed by four weeks of inpatient physical therapy. She returned home and received the sad news a week later that her son had passed away. Now just one month later, Betty has suffered yet another loss, the loss of her home and everything in it. Despite everything, she still smiles, managing every hardship with grace and positivity. She is truly an inspiration to us all.

Betty is the epitome of a social butterfly. She goes to the theatre with friends every week and to Church on Sundays. It is her community and network of close friends that keep her young. Despite her age, she is fully independent; she still drives and does all her shopping and errands. She needs the resources necessary to rebuild as quickly as possible to remain in the environment where she is thriving.

We want to show her the same generosity and kindness that she has spent the better part of a century showing others. Ian helplessly broke our hearts this week as it destroyed the place Betty has called home, but it could not break her unshakable spirit. Thank you for standing beside us and being a part of bringing Betty back to Bayside. #BaysideBetty