Heather Hackett named Lakewood Ranch Humanitarian of the Year

Heather Hackett used to watch Red Cross presentations and wonder if she could measure up to the volunteers who made that nonprofit so valuable.

Could she, too, be, considered a humanitarian?

The answer is — "Yes!"

Hackett, who is the founder and executive director of Local Relief, Inc., has been selected as the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award recipient by the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.

The LWRCF will honor Hackett and also honor its grant recipients, the Builders Give Back members and other community volunteers at a free event called Recognition and Refreshments 5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing 7051 Wireless Court, Lakewood Ranch.

The inaugural event will celebrate the individuals and organizations that assist and enhance the Lakewood Ranch community. Those who attend can enjoy hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Space is limited so those who wish to attend need to register at EventBrite.com and then present a ticket at the door.

The event also will provide a sneak peek at 2025, which will be the LWRCF's 25th anniversary.

"Being named the Humanitarian of the Year is just the coolest thing," Hackett said. "It means someone is watching. I am dumbfounded, but I do work hard at this, and for someone to recognize it, means a lot. There are so many people who do so much more."

Hackett came up with the idea for Local Relief after Hurricane Irma in 2017.

"I was living in Sarasota, where I had lived for 20 years, and I was doing sporting event management. After Hurricane Irma, I saw everything as being unorganized. People didn't know where to find gas or generators, or how to prepare.

"I was living by myself and I had to (prepare for a hurricane and deal with the aftermath) all by myself. It was just that chaos. So I created a business plan. I would include everything people would want to know so they could find it in one place."

In her management of sporting events, such as the Sarasota Music Half Marathon and the Sarasota Open tennis tournament, she learned that a key was doing things to "alleviate the patrons' anxiety." Even at a fun event, she said the unknown can be disturbing. So consider what the unknown is like during and after a disaster.

"During Irma, I saw the anxiety because there was no information. You have to let people know how things work. FEMA, for example, has so many options."

Hackett didn't know how to make her business plan work, but then she met chiropractor Ken Kaufman, who had hired her to help him work on a wellness and nutrition app he wanted to support his Sarasota Sports Medicine business.

In learning how to develop a successful app, Hackett decided to put that knowledge to work in developing Local Relief. The clinching moment was the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022. She had waited long enough.

Not only did Kaufman, the spring training team chiropractor for the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates, support her effort, he married her in 2021.

Her vision listed on her website — LocalRelief.com — is to "bridge the gap between communities and vital resources during times of disaster. Our platform serves as a critical tool for locals, organizations, and authorities to prepare, survive, and rebuild. More than an app, we are a lifeline of communication, a nexus of aid, and a driving force for the restoration of resilient communities."

She said the challenges after a disaster — finding gas, ice, and supplies, and patching up homes and clearing tree damage — are endless.

"We can ease the burden and help rebuild lives," she said.

She said it amazes her how many people aren't familiar with all the disaster resources available, and she wants to funnel those people toward those resources.

"We're not boots on the ground," she said. "We are an eye in the sky."

While her nonprofit is just two years old, she said she has made major headway in establishing relationships. Still, she is entertaining a phase where she needs to raise funds to keep her momentum going.

"We have been self-funded and those funds are gone," she said. "Day-to-day, it is just me working. And this (hurricane) season has been crazy."

Photo by Jay Heater

Her app includes a directory of services during and after a hurricane and she hopes that those businesses help support the effort.

"My whole role is just to provide services," she said. "I am apolitical. This is a social media resource."

Her hope is that the nonprofit grows to provide services from coast-to-coast.

Even though she said Florida has the most disaster services and information of any state, she said so many new people move here who are unfamiliar with those.

"This is the first thing I've ever done that I haven't questioned whether it would work," she said. "This is going to work. The response has been phenomenal."

She has been a teacher, corporate trainer, sporting events manager and children's book author, among other endeavors.

"This a little scary to me because I don't own the nonprofit," she said. "I could be fired."

Those who know her say that won't happen.

"I could listen to her speak about her current organization for hours," said Lisa Lawler, a Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation board member. "This is a woman who is 100% passionate about what she does. I guarantee you, it is not for the money."

"Heather is an extraordinary leader and compassionate individual," said Chad Smith, who is on the Local Relief board of directors. "Her selfless work exemplifies the spirit of humanitarianism."

She said once she got started in the effort, she just couldn't stop.

"I am a mama bear in real life," she said.