First Day Ready

09/06/2026

If you know me, you know I am not built for TLDR. You've been warned.

I'll eventually share different parts of my Cobalt experience but I want to highlight how everything came together beautifully when we were given such unfortunate news.

We were informed by Cobalt executives that residents' access to the clubhouse for donations would end Wednesday, a mere 6 days after the fire, to collect the donations the community so graciously bestowed upon them to help rebuild their lives after such a devastating loss. It was directed that if the donations were not gone after Thursday, they would dispose of whatever is left.

We would not and did not let that happen. Monday afternoon after the call was made, volunteers were on the phone trying to find alternate locations. One in particular, Julie Portolano-Gulliford , was boots on the ground looking and called me the moment she spoke with Eric and his boss Scott at StoreRight Self Storage - Land O Lakes, just 2.5 miles from the apartments.

I needed to come up there with my 501c3 info and sign the lease. They are donating 10x40 units for us as long as we need them!!! Mrs. Joni, a volunteer I hadn't even had a chance to speak with drove me up there (hey, I wasn't giving up my parking spot 😆) and we signed the lease.

I got back to Cobalt and started calling and connecting all the resources I had with moving/truck companies and finally just started going through the yellow pages so to speak.

Those of you reading not born in the 80's, 90's and I'll even stretch it to early 00's, if you wanted to find and call a company, you would have to sift through a huge book of businesses to find them. Thankfully it was alphabetical and the Yellow Pages actually ended up being a great booster seat at the kitchen table for the kiddos in a pinch it was so thick. Google did not exist, y'all are spoiled. 😊

I connected with Bull Moving, Tampa FL and pleaded my case. Tom said he'd see what he could do and reach back out to me. I made more calls and started to wrap up my 12 hour day there at Cobalt when Julie sent me a text w a pic of a rainbow she had just taken saying "there's always a rainbow after the storm" to try to lift my spirits during this devastating blow and have the confidence that It.Will.Work.Out.

That very same minute Bull Moving Company reached back out saying they would be more than happy to assist. 🫶🏽

We did it!!!! We secured a location to house the donations so that the residents who are still without a permanent home, about 2/3 of them will still continue to have access to the donations when they finally find a place to land and start rebuilding.

We secured the transportation for the donations to the storage. Now we need the manpower for the move. We put a call for help out, Jose A Roldan Jr. helping to get the word out as well (thank you for your community influence to get things done🥰) and Thursday morning, the clubhouse was packed with volunteers ready to move.

People from churches that showed up Friday and Saturday to help came back, people from different organizations that were there from day one with us like Debbie, Josh & Valerie (why can't I tag y'all?!), volunteers who helped throughout the weekend and in to the beginning of the week, residents in the complex showed up, even my building 2 residents...the ones who had fire tear through their homes and destroy it showed up to help us help them. 🥹

The community came together once again in such a big way in such a dark moment.
In a moment that could have felt like another devastating loss for these families, this community simply refused to let that be the ending.

Every phone call, every volunteer who showed up, every organization that stepped in, every box carried—and even the residents who had just lost their own homes showing up to help—reminded me what happens when people decide, “No. We’re going to figure this out.” And we did. The donations are safe, they’ll be there when these families are ready to rebuild and somehow, right in the middle of the storm, we really did find the rainbow. 🌈💛🧡❤️💜

09/04/2026

I wanted to share Dayrymar’s story. ❤️

Dayrymar and their parents lost their third-floor home and pretty much everything they owned in the Cobalt Apartments fire — including the computer and school supplies Dayrymar needs for USF.

And somehow, in the middle of all of this, there was one little miracle. Their two lovebirds, Mango and Rio, were originally thought to have died in the fire but were later found ALIVE. 🥹❤️

Right now, they’re trying to figure out temporary housing and replace all of the everyday things you don’t even think about until suddenly you have none of them.

If you’re able to help, their GoFundMe is below. If you can’t donate, even just sharing it helps get their story in front of someone who might be able to.

Every little bit helps this family get one step closer to starting over. ❤️

https://gofund.me/fb048b0c3

My name is Dayrymar, and I am creating this fundraiser for myself and my paren… Dayrymar Materano needs your support for Help My Family Rebuild After the Fire

09/02/2026

📦 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We’re looking for a few volunteers to help us organize donated items at the storage unit and make it feel as much like a little “store” as possible for residents.

Volunteers will help sort, organize, and neatly display items. There isn’t much heavy lifting involved, but you will need to be comfortable standing and bending throughout your shift.

If you’re available to help, please fill out the quick form below so we can coordinate dates and times:

🔗 https://forms.gle/ci5tSoYBFfdg6ALs6

Thank you for continuing to show up for our Cobalt residents. ❤️

09/02/2026

This may not make much sense to the general public but my Building 2 Residents knows what's up.

FDR *will* continue helping with clothing, shoes, hygiene essentials, household goods and other immediate needs we are able to meet. We will continue maintaining access to the donated items currently being stored for residents who have not yet found permanent housing. And we will continue working directly with you as needs arise.

We will also continue the distribution of gift cards in FDR's possession that we've collected on your behalf. 💛🧡💜

08/28/2026

Have you heard the news yet?

We will be opening up donations again on a rolling basis for the residents of the Cobalt Apartments. These will be for the below items only so hang on to them.

We will only be accepting donations of the listed items by appointment so please reach out to Amanda Weaver or Amanda Irizarry to make said donation appointment.

Any furniture donations, please join the Wesley Chapel Cobalt Fire Donations group and link up there for now. 🫶🏽💛🩷💜

08/22/2026

Cobalt Apartments is at capacity for donations.

We CAN NOT accept anymore donations of any kind at this time.

We are working logistics of picking back up in the near future but we cannot take any more.

If you want to help, come up and help sort what we have. If you have a large space where we can tell people to take their donations to, please reach out to me immediately, Amanda Weaver 727-660-5337.

The outpouring of support from this community is amazing and us having to turn your donations away is a good thing.

If you want to donate, United Way of Pasco County is accepting financial donations and they will be distributed directly to the residents.

Again, thank you so much for all of your support.🫶🏽

On August 20th, a massive, devastating fire swept through the Cobalt Apartment Complex of Wesley Chapel...Over 400 Neighbors need us NOW more than ever! Please consider donating to our Donation Fund for the displaced families. 100% of the proceeds will go toward essential supplies and immediate needs for these families, including shelter, food, pet supplies, clothing, toiletries, medical supplies, and other necessities as they begin rebuilding their lives.

❤️ Visit this link or scan the QR code: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/united-way-of-pasco-county-inc/donation-fund-for-the-displaced-families-of-wesley-chapel-cobalt-apartments

📰 Journal Piece on the Fire: https://www.fox13news.com/news/firefighters-scene-three-alarm-apartment-fire-pcfr

08/22/2026

Yes, another post...I can't sleep.

First Day Ready was there all day with tons of other awesome volunteers and I can say we are going to need another location to store the donations.

The amenity center is at capacity right now with the outpouring of donations coming in from this amazing community.

If anyone knows anyone at a storage facility or warehouse, a church with a large unused area that can store the donations for at least a month, please send them my way.

We are trying to take care of the residents and their immediate needs but it's going to take a while before they can settle in a new place where they can actually take home the items being donated.

We are absolutely at capacity right now with donations at the Cobalt clubhouse. Again, if anyone can help with donating the space to store any other donations, please call or text me at (727) 660-5337 or email me at [email protected]

Thank you WC and all of Pasco & surrounding communities for your help and support.

08/21/2026

First Day Ready has been at Cobalt Apartments all day and will be here throughout the evening.

We've stood next to so many volunteers from individuals just wanting to help to churches and other organizations lending hands to help the families displaced from yesterday's fire. Sorting, organizing and handing out bags and boxes of clothes, hygiene products, blankets and sheets so they have a head start of starting over.

I've cried with residents. I've laughed with the office staff. I've gone through all kinds of emotions today which I'm sure none of them come close to scratching the surface of the residents but the one thing I am stuck on is gratitude.

The way this community has showed up for one another in such a short time frame is phenomenal. I am so grateful for the Wesley Chapel community and so proud of Pasco County and it's citizens. (Peeps from neighboring counties who trekked it out here today, I got mad love for you too!)

06/19/2026

4:38 Update on event. Both the truck and the rescue had to respond to calls.

Dairy Queen is still giving away free cones until 5:30 and we are still here accepting donations if you want to come by and say hello.

05/29/2026

🩷 A Community Member Who Helps Others Needs Help

This isn't a First Day Ready assistance request but one of the generous neighbors who has supported FDR is trying to help an employee who is starting over as a single dad with sole custody of his two daughters (ages 4 and 5).

They're in need of basic household items, including:

🏠 Couch
🏠 Kitchen table
🏠 Dressers
🛏️ Bedding
🍽️ Pots, pans, dishes, and silverware

If you have clean, usable items you'd like to donate, please comment below or send us a message and we'll connect you.

We may not be able to help every family directly, but we can certainly help connect good people with other good people.

Thank you for continuing to show what community looks like.🧡💛💜

Send a message to learn more