On Oct. 28, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a category 5 hurricane, bringing winds up to 185 miles per hour, one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit the country. Islanders have rallied, hosting fundraisers and gathering essential supplies.
Before the eye of Hurricane Melissa even touched down in Jamaica last week, Edgartown resident Sherice Henry got a call from her mother.
“She was showing me what was happening in my community, how many trees have already been down, how many landslides have already happened, how many roofs have already been blown off, even before the full effect got to us,” Ms. Henry said.
On Oct. 28, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a category 5 hurricane, bringing winds up to 185 miles per hour, one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit the country.
According to Jamaica Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon, 32 deaths in Jamaica have already been reported, along with widespread damage, power outages and devastation across the Caribbean Island nation.
Ms. Henry and other Islanders are organizing relief efforts to help those who have been affected by the hurricane, collecting money, clothes and various supplies to send down to loved ones and community members in their parishes.
Ms. Henry has started a GoFundMe to help the elderly affected by the hurricane. Her family is based in St. Catherine.
Janey and Emily Sobel donated Dock Street proceeds.
Janey and Emily Sobel donated Dock Street proceeds.
“We haven’t heard from any government or any constituency leaders,” she said. “The only people we know are the community leaders who are trying to come together to clean up the roads or trying to get food to the older people and the children in the community.”
Sheldon Marshall and Levor King, business owners on the Island who grew up in Jamaica, also created a GoFundMe to support those affected. As of Wednesday, nearly $13,000 has been raised and Mr. Marshall is traveling to Jamaica to see what he can do on the ground.
“I’m going to go there to see if we can get food there and we’re going to try to build small homes back for a few families, because there’s no way we’re going to help everyone, but we’re going to try to select a few families and build small houses back for them,” he said.
The urge to provide aid was instinctual.
“The community here has accepted us, and we’re a bit privileged now, so there’s no way I can not try to figure it out to help a few people,” Mr. Marshall said. “We have to figure it out.”
For Mr. King, he remembers Hurricane Ivan, a category 3 hurricane that swept through the Caribbean in 2004.
“We lost all our appliances, beds, everything, so looking at photos and the videos that are being shared, in the position that I’m in today and getting the ability to actually give back and help, that’s the perfect motivator,” Mr. King said.
Janey Sobel at the grill on Sunday, cooking up a relief effort.
Janey Sobel at the grill on Sunday, cooking up a relief effort.
La-moi James also felt an urge to help her community. She is compiling a donation box and money to buy supplies in bulk to ship down to Jamaica.
“It’s really to help the people who don’t have anything right now, and they only have the piece of clothes that they have on their back [from that day],” Ms. James said. “I’m just trying to reach somebody who probably will not get help some way, somehow, because everybody won’t be able to reach everybody.”
Mike Sisco, owner of Sisco Family Services, is spearheading a donation drive on Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People can drop off chainsaws, small generators, cell phone battery packs, sanitary wipes, clothing and other supplies at the First Baptist Church of Vineyard Haven.
Dock Street Coffee Shop in Edgartown hosted a benefit meal on Sunday, donating the proceeds to the relief effort. Owner Emily Sobel’s husband, Shamar Myrie, has family and friends in the Hanover parish area of Jamaica.
“They’re without power, without water and we had heard from some friends and family on Friday night, and it’s pretty dire straits down there,” Ms. Sobel said.
Ms. Sobel said some of her staff also gave up their wages for the day to support the effort. She and Mr. Myrie are planning to ship the supplies on Wednesday, including solar panels, power banks, food, toys for kids, air beds and other necessary supplies. Their hope is that local shelters will then distribute the supplies to those in need.
The fundraiser was pulled together in under 24 hours, and Ms. Sobel is thankful for the Island’s support.
“Our customers are already very generous and wonderful people on a regular day, and when it’s for a good cause, they really show up, so we’re really grateful,” she said.
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