(WTXL) - Mexico Beach, October 10th, 2018.
Hurricane Michael devastated the sleepy town of 1,200 along Florida's Panhandle.
February's Difference Makers are making sure they're not forgotten.
"We kept getting these images and we were thinking, wow this is a place we visit and we go spend time with family and literally it doesn't exist," said Alex Workman, founder of Never Forgotten Coast Campaign.
Hurricane Michael hit close to home for Alex and Chelsea Workman.
Chelsea's dad lives and runs his charter boat business on the canal in Mexico Beach.
"A lot of the houses blew into the canal and into the area,” said Kevin Lanier, who lives and owns a business in Mexico Beach.
His home was spared, but his charter boat is out-of-business for now.
Nearly four months since the hurricane, the shore at Mexico Beach is scattered with debris, including concrete slabs where buildings and piling stilts where businesses and homes used to be.
"This is their home. These are the businesses they go to all the time. Just to watch that get torn apart right in front of your eyes, it definitely brings a whole new perspective,” said Chelsea Workman, founder of Never Forgotten Coast Campaign.
The Workmans' felt so strongly about giving people a different perspective so they assembled a Team of Storytellers.
Along with photographers Jesse Taylor and Jeremy Cowart, and drone pilot Jonathan Smith, they started "The Never Forgotten Coast Campaign"
"Volunteers just showed up and helped us carry a big red heart around the city," said Alex Workman.
The crew asked locals to place the giant heart on the scars left behind by Hurricane Michael.
Their homes, businesses and landmarks completely wiped out.
"It offers perspective. It offers humanity," said Alex Workman.
"How long you been in business?" WTXL News Anchor Christine Souders asked Mexico Beach Mayor Al Cathey.
"Since 1974,” said Mayor Al Cathey.
Mexico Beach Mayor Al Cathey and his wife took part in the Never Forgotten Coast Campaign. They planted the giant heart on the floor of their hardware store of 65 years. From the air you can see the heart through the roof of the Ace Hardware destroyed in the hurricane.
"We're in a long marathon and we've barely run a mile, and we've got a lot to do so from a mayor standpoint, I'm a glass half full person, and we'll get it done,” said Mayor Cathey.
Through the images, t-shirt sales and donations, the Workmans' have raised $20,000 to give out to local businesses through mini-grants.
"Something they didn't expect. Somebody like the Workman Family, go out of their way to come to Mexico Beach and help, they're just doing it people their good people and they want to help," said Carol Cox, treasurer of the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association.
The stories are far reaching, stamped on the walls of a Tallahassee business to shirts and hats worn by people all over the country.
"The name Never Forgotten Coast, we want Mexico Beach before Hurricane Michael to not be forgotten. We know things are going to change," said Alex Workman.
"I think Bay County needs more goodhearted people, that do things for the right reason and not money driven and that's inspiring," said Mayor Al Cathey.
"As far as the resiliency of the people here in Mexico Beach, what do you say about that?” Christine Souders asked Mayor Cathey.
"Tough as nails," responded Mayor Cathey.
"This is not going to be fixed quickly, so we're going to need support for a long time, so don't forget us," said Kevin Lanier.
And they won't, because of The Never Forgotten Coast Campaign. That's why the Workmans' and their creative team are February's Difference Makers.
To see more stories by the Storytellers of the Never Forgotten Coast Campaign: https://www.neverforgottencoast.com/.
Nominate someone making a difference in our community. They could be the Next Difference Maker.
