Helping After Irma

WE WERE JUST HERE.

So, Hurricane Irma barreled over the Caribbean and into Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. I honestly can’t tell if the damage in Florida is less than Texas because Irma didn’t park over a city and rain for days, or if we’re suffering from 500 Year Hurricane fatigue.

But what we do know is that Irma caused MASSIVE destruction over the Caribbean, such as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and Barbuda. What this post is mostly going to be is ways to help those communities, with link round ups for Florida communities.

The Community Fund for the Virgin Islands is taking donations for relief: “100% of the proceeds will go directly to the cause, no fees are being charged by the Foundation. CFVI will update the public and donors through social media on how these funds are being used and distributed (Facebook.com/CFVirginIslands or search for Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands). We will be coordinating with local government, national efforts, and other local nonprofits. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Caribbean born Author Tobias Buckell has a list of places to help the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Martin, and general Caribbean relief.  He also has good information on the scope of devastation in the Caribbean.

Andrea Grimes of Traitor Radio, bless her, also has a list of places that need help, just like she did for Harvey.

I found this “Adopt a family in the US Virgin Islands” form, which signs you up to send a flat rate Priority Mail box of supplies to specific family.

GlobalGiving is, like they did for Harvey, collecting to distribute to local organizations. The NYT tells me that they’re very good at coordinating with what local orgs need.

I’ve been looking for more places to help Puerto Rico, and not finding much that isn’t covered above.

A Vox article lists ComPRmetidos, which is Puerto Rico based, that is looking to raise $150,000.

The Connecticut Chapter of the National Puerto Rican Agenda (a nonprofit that aims to unite, educate, and create solutions for Puerto Ricans in PR and the US) has a form for people looking to volunteer.

If you know of anything else, please let us know in the comments?

Finally, I would urge all of our US community to call your Representative and Senators and remind them that the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are US Territories, and we cannot forget them when it comes to disaster relief. These are US Citizens with no voice in Congress, and I think we have a moral responsibility to make sure they aren’t forgotten.

If you have any other places people can throw their support or dollars, please leave them in the comments. And let’s hope and pray that Jose gets bored and spins himself out.

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General Bitching...

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  1. Michelle says:

    Former NBA star and St Croix native Tim Duncan has a you fund me account dedicated to hurricane relief in the Virgin Islands
    https://www.youcaring.com/21usvirginislandrelieffund-942738

    Here’s the article he wrote about it in the Player’s Tribune:

    https://www.theplayerstribune.com/tim-duncan-hurricane-irma-us-virgin-islands/

  2. Megan M. says:

    The Caribbean Tourism Organization has a GoFundMe set up to help relief efforts. Their website is onecaribbean.org and this is the link to their GoFundMe page:

    https://www.gofundme.com/hurricane-relief-fund-cto

  3. Hazel says:

    It’s great that you guys are doing this, RHG. We have territories in that area also, and the UK government response has been criticised as disappointingly slow.

  4. Elizabeth says:

    I’m in Lakeland, Florida. The eye went over us, but we got enormously lucky. Not like the islands.
    No structural damage, but we lost electricity for nearly a week. The damage to the electrical grid was significant throughout the state.
    That means we threw out the entire contents of our fridge and freezer. We’re lucky that we have extra in the budget to replace it. So many do not. So, if you have friends or family who’ve been without electricity, gift cards for groceries are a great directions way to help.
    Also, we’re just tired. Emotionally and physically tired.
    Please also support and thank the linemen who’ve come from all over to help.
    Thank you for helping.

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