Don't tell Melinda Bygate one person can't make a difference

In wake of deadly tornadoes volunteer 'put life on hold to help'

Adrian G. Uribarri Sentinel Staff Writer
March 29, 2008
LADY LAKE - Melinda Bygate paced around Sunshine Mobile Home Park, cell phone to her ear.

"I'll get you that money, one way or another," Bygate blurted. "Don't you worry."

For more than a year, Bygate has been helping victims of the Feb. 2, 2007, tornadoes cope with their losses. Now, she is receiving national recognition for her efforts.

The U.S. Small Business Administration will honor her with its Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contribution to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer. She will drive to Washington, D.C., next month to receive the award.


Before the tornadoes, which killed 21 people in Lake County and destroyed hundreds of homes in Lake and Sumter, the 56-year-old golfed five days a week and enjoyed retirement after a decade running a cabinet shop in Oldsmar with her husband, Arnie, 68. The devastation she saw that morning spurred her into action.

"I just felt this incredible need to help these people," she said.

When she offered her help to organizers at a church, she said she was told there were already enough volunteers.

Undeterred, she lent a hand anyway.
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