After nearly two years of recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, 101-year-old World War II veteran Fred Kojzar has finally returned to his restored home in Hudson, Florida. The extensive flooding damage from Hurricane Helene was initially unknown until Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano visited and discovered the severity of the water damage inside Kojzar’s residence. Working alongside community members and officials, Kojzar began cleaning up but eventually had to move in with his daughter while repairs were underway. Through the efforts of Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, a nonprofit organization providing free home repairs for low-income homeowners, significant restoration work was completed on the property. The organization has helped restore over 1500 homes across Tampa Bay and continues to offer grant funding assistance even years after the initial hurricanes struck. Kojzar now enjoys his restored home again, engaging in activities like gardening, reading word puzzles, and relaxing with a glass of wine. As another hurricane season approaches, he expresses hope that future storms will not be as destructive as Helene and Milton were.
Pasco County Veteran Finds Peace After Hurricane Recovery Efforts End Years of Hardship
