By Brandie Ocean
I moved to PCB in March 2025. My apartment ended up with black mold so severe that I needed to move. I am disabled and my mom lives with me. She is 76 and had to go to the ER twice for breathing issues. I called and called every organization that I could. I even called the Mayor. I was eventually referred to the amazing Lieutenant Vicky Heath and the team of Outreach Coordinators with the Outreach Program at the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Lt. Heath was most concerned that we have enough money to move so that we wouldn’t have to stay in an unhealthy environment. Her first words to me were to save every dime and that she was going to make sure we had food. She asked me if I had a place to go and put me in touch with one of her landlords. She called me and asked what kind of food I liked, down to what percent milk I like to drink.
The next day, not one but two groups of people from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office showed up with more food than you can imagine. It just kept coming–fresh fruit, pastries for my mom, and tons of meat. I especially remember Deputy Lawrence and the three trips he made to bring in the food. Two hours later, a couple showed up and left us with over three boxes of food.
I needed to save my money to move to a new place and with food for three weeks, we’ve saved enough to get to a safer and better place. I told Deputy Lawrence that I’ve been looking for a community and a home for over five years now and that I feel so much love and support from the community. Words can’t express what this has meant to me.
Typical of Lt. Heath, I called her to thank her and let her know that what she had done was life-changing, and she said it came from the Good Lord upstairs. She is so humble and incredible, and I feel blessed that she came in my path. For me, I’m looking forward to a move, but in the meantime, a big thank you to the Sheriff’s Office for finding me a home and also to Kenny at Coastal Appliances, who, after hearing my story, donated and delivered a refrigerator to me because there was so much food.
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