Hurricane Dorian, which Floridians had expected to hit their region had instead stayed for a day and a half to pound the Grand Bahamas and Abaco island. The hurricane eventually left but weakened into a Category 2, upon reaching South Carolina. Grateful that the Cat 5 hurricane changed path, an outpouring of Floridians have organized to receive, collect and coordinate the sending of relief goods to the hurricane-devastated areas.
Most Florida residents said they were looking for ways in which to channel the anxiety they felt in anticipation of Dorian’s arrival in the state. Although thankful that the hurricane did not hit them, their thoughts turned to the people of the Bahamas and the severity of the damage wreaked by Dorian, particularly in Abaco and Freeport.
Florida Residents in Different Districts Banded Together to Organize and Send Donations to the Bahamas
Devoting time and resources, numerous Floridians have banded together to organize relief distribution efforts, instead of waiting for local governments to act. Not a few of them included descendants of Florida’s early settlers who originated from the Bahamas.
The urgency of sending out help to people located in areas destroyed by Dorian, showed a deep understanding that supplies for basic life were desperately needed.
Thousands came in droves, pouring in.donations in the form of canned goods, bottled water and boxes of diapers. Different groups of volunteer organizers sorted and prepared them for delivery to drop off points that would bring the donations to the Grand Bahamas and Abaco island.
Apparently, Floridians who bought provisions in anticipation of Dorian’s arrival in Florida decided to donate them instead after being spared from the Cat 5 hurricane’s havoc.
In Tampa Bay, private planes piloted by more than 70 volunteers and coordinated by a non-profit organization called Sol Relief had flown out relief goods to the Bahamas as early as Friday. According to a Sol Relief spokesperson, volunteer pilots will not just be flying out relief goods, because the people of the island need more than just potable water, food and diapers. They will also be flying out other items like batteries, generators, chainsaws, flashlights, solar-powered chargers and the like.
sol relief
Tampa Bay pilots and owners of private planes were moved by the images of Dorian’s aftermath in the Bahamas. As many of them uttered “It could have been us,” private citizens and local businesses banded together to offer their planes and services in order to expedite the supply drops in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. More will be flown next week as volunteer organizations have collected and prepared supplies, good for five more flights.
Even Pets in Flooded Animal Shelters in the Bahamas Have Received Offers of Help
In Palm Harbor, Florida, staff and residents have volunteered their services to Suncoast Animal League, as the organization has extended help to flooded animal shelters in the devastated island.
A Facebook plea posted by the Suncoast Animal League asking for emergency relief for animals, had brought in cars and trucks loaded with essential pet care items, in addition to relief goods for the animal owners.