Bahamas Hurricane Relief by Cruisers

[goboats]

Have construction skills , framing, wiring ,plumbing , concrete ,tile , small engine mechanical and marine service . I'm in

[malyea]

IF someone is considering forming a new formal organization of cruiser’s assisting the relief, recovery and reconstruction of the northern Bahamas - you might consider using ‘Team Rubicon’ as an initial organizational starting point and ‘format’.

https://teamrubiconusa.org/

Cut and paste and edit ‘military personnel’ to read ‘cruiser’ and voila, you’ve quickly moved beyond a blank sheet of paper.

Incorporate labor/skills databases as discussed above and it may well serve the Bahamians as they work through this incredible disaster.

Include fundraising and resupply logistics and servicing while partnering with all the big/small relief organizations - who knows, could really be something long into the future...

We’ve already raised over $4,200 for relief via Blue Bahama Sails efforts with our Bahamian Hurricane Relief campaign and would gladly ‘handover’ the FB page and website if that name was used.

https://www.facebook.com/Blue-Bahama...5139597536199/

No one can do everything, but everyone can do something! Thanks for caring! Thanks for giving!

[Capt. Ray]

This already exists under the SSCA. REGISTERING AID SUPPLIES AND BOATS FOR THE BAHAMAS HERE. If you hear of any relief supplies or vessels that can help, do please send them to the Yacht Relief Alliance on the SSCA (Seven Seas Cruising Association) site. We have detailed instructions together with the Bahamas government and Red Cross and other NGOs and coordinated by International Rescue Group. Pass the word! https://www.ssca.org/content.aspx?pa...dule_id=283986

[Latitude1]

That is a great initiative, and we are in!
It was our plan to top by and help; as yes we can make a difference. In group it would be even more helpful and rewarding. Please do let us know about your plans and we will do the same. We can be reached at : Taranga1@hotmail.com

[Palarran]

Here's another nice update from Michael Albary from Man O War.

Michael Albury
Location: Man O War Cay, Abaco

Today is Sunday, the second Sunday post hurricane. The island will gather today for our second church service after being blessed with the gift of life. We will take advantage of the opportunity to worship and once again thank our Savior and Protector.

MUCH has been accomplished in this week, too much to tell, but a few.
Settlement roads are clear, more containers off loaded and sorted, School and church dried in to accommodate the sorted items coming off of the barge, restaurant served it's first meal, island project ordinator is in place and working hard, More diesel and gas being imported almost daily, A few more residents returning home, Some shelters for volunteers complete, Many more homes dried in with tarps or better. Some home roof repairs complete, Several more boats launched repaired and running including one G and L Ferry. ETC.

One of our biggest blessings of the week was the arrival of Samaritan's Purse. Franklin Graham's daughter and son-in-law were on the island with a team to encourage us and make plans moving forward. They will be working with us and hopefully accomplish some wonderful things. We hope to have assessment people on the island this week.

Several other important and very capable groups have also been in discussions with us and we hope to have small groups of volunteers on island by end of week or 1st of next week.

A reliable source of diesel and gas conveniently located should be in place in 2 weeks or less. ( It's going to be hard to get used to paying for gas again : ))) So far man of war has been a Cash less community and total volunteer labor force.

Not bad for a week that also included a storm passing near us with lots of rain : )))

Our needs now are shifting to building material. Man O War's very own Kent Bethel of Island Construction is in Florida doing an incredible job of sourcing quality material and consolidating same. We now desperately need funding for this specific material and help with barging costs to get it here. Hopefully a regular freighting service between West Palm and Marsh Harbour will start which will reduce the shipping cost. If you can help with this current need we would be so appreciative.

There are so many of you doing so much it's difficult to even keep track of all the individuals that are working together, I dare not call names.

Once again our island would like to thank each and every one of you for helping and blessing us. With your help we will soon be in a position to help our other brothers and sisters in Abaco.

God bless you.

[malyea]

Palarran, Plz check for PM, thanks.

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by jmh2002

I posted this a few days ago in the Dorian thread, and a few people have mentioned these organisations, so I'll post it here too for continuity:

Thanks for posting this. I was not aware of the World Central Kitchen but it's good to know that there is an organization like this. On the ground quickly & making a real difference. I was happy to donate to them & hope others here will too.

https://wck.org/

[malyea]

Listed below in no particular order are relief organizations that we are vetting as we prepare to disburse over $4,000 in donated funds. We will select two or three organizations from the list.

We’d welcome your input if it’s based on objective, first hand knowledge of current disaster relief operations in the northern Bahamas.

Thank you for caring! Thank you for giving!

Samaritan's Purse
Mercy Chefs
American Red Cross
Bahamas Red Cross
United Way of NE Florida
HeadKnowles
World Central Kitchen
Salvation Army
Americares
Water Mission
Heart to Heart International
National Association of the Bahamas
Mercy Corps
Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund
Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation
Direct Relief
Save the Children
Global Giving
Caring for Others, Inc.

Three criteria will determine which relief organizations and charities receive funds from this campaign. They will be vetted according to 1) exemplary ratings from Charity Navigator and Guidestar, 2) registered with and recommended by the Government of the Bahamas, and 3) confirmation of having personnel on the ground and operations established in the Bahamas.

Every two weeks, or every $5,000 accumulated donations - which ever comes first, I will evaluate/re-evaluate all charities/relief organizations serving the Bahamas and make a donations disbursement. That disbursement schedule will continue as long as relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts are ongoing and the Bahamian Hurricane Relief campaign is still earning donations.

Mike Alyea
Blue Bahama Sails
St Augustine, FL

https://www.gofundme.com/f/2rhfh3-ba...49d7539e9c2efc

Good article -
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pas...rricane-dorian

[mjscottinnc]

Mike to your list you should add

https://www.gofundme.com/f/aex-dorian-relief-effort

This is a relief effort for Little Grand Cay, the northern most inhabited island in the Abacos. The fund was started by Allan Exploration who is currently rehabilitation Walker Cay (just west of Little Grand Cay) after being abandoned for so many years. All the funds will be used for Little Grand Cay and like so many in the Abacos they need the help.

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

Thanks for posting this. I was not aware of the World Central Kitchen but it's good to know that there is an organization like this. On the ground quickly & making a real difference. I was happy to donate to them & hope others here will too.

https://wck.org/

You are most welcome sir. And I'm sure Bahamians appreciate your donation. You can see that it is directly feeding people. No quasi humanitarian stuff there - simply food, for hungry people.

This https://wck.org/news/250k-meals-in-bahamas says 250,000 meals served so far in roughly 2 weeks. And this is real food, not freeze dried packets.

José seems to have found his new calling in life. But it seems he really was put on this earth to cook and to feed people, so he continues to do so but just on a much larger scale, and for those really in need

[Sailmon]

Wondering if anyone has heard anything about the fate of the Every Child Counts (ECC) school in Marsh Harbor? Is Lyn OK. Will she be rebuilding.

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by Sailmon

Wondering if anyone has heard anything about the fate of the Every Child Counts (ECC) school in Marsh Harbor? Is Lyn OK. Will she be rebuilding.

If you go to Abaco Forum they have a specific thread for Marsh Harbor. Or, if your a facebooker, go to one of these:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/383145409068732/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/481196102716515/

Most of the people here are not onsite.

Or do a simple search:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/every-chi...-abaco-bahamas

[malyea]

Bahamian Hurricane Relief Update (GoFundMe)

Disbursement statement #1 - 9/17/2019 - total GoFundMe donations of $4,355 results in $4,214.59 (96.8% effective net donation) disbursed from GoFundMe direct to my checking account deposited not later than 9/25/2019. An additional $100.00 cash donation made directly to me results in a total of $4,314.59 to be disbursed immediately upon receipt equally to the following two relief organizations providing long term recovery assistance to the people of the northern Bahamas. Additionally, we will be adding $85.41 cash donation to bring the disbursed total to $4,400.00.

All Hands and Hearts - Smart Response - $2,200 donation

Samaritan’s Purse - $2,200 donation

A total of 21 charities and relief organizations were vetted for this first disbursement of donated funds in accordance with the three criteria outlined in our GoFundMe campaign statement. Future disbursements will be made at two week intervals, or $5,000 accumulated donations, whichever comes first. Prior to each disbursement, we will again vet all relief organizations to ensure all donations will be used in the most beneficial manner to assist the Bahamas disaster recovery effort.

Thank you for caring! Thank you for giving....but I need your help!

I need your help to expand into Team Fundraising for Bahamian Hurricane Relief! Sign on as a team member under this GoFundMe campaign and together we can cast a much larger social net to maximize fundraising for the Bahamas relief effort.

Steps - contact me to sign up; I then list you as a Team Member; you then share our GoFundMe message under your name to your social circle - vastly expanding our fundraising potential. It costs you nothing but a little time. All donations garnered by you get deposited to this campaign and disbursed in accordance with the stated disbursement plan. It’s so easy once you’re on the team! And you can do so much good!

We’re in the process of executing our first disbursement of relief funds - and it feels GREAT - $4,400 donated to relief and recovery in the Bahamas ... but they need so much more!

If we team together we can do so much good for the Bahamians! Please join me and volunteer for Team Fundraising.
Thank you,
Mike Alyea
Bahamian Hurricane Relief

https://www.gofundme.com/f/2rhfh3-ba..._co_campmgmt_w

[Auspicious]

GoFundMe takes a bunch off the top.


See http://bahamas.com/relief for the organizations that the Bahamian government has vetted. Note the big charities often get a darn good rate from credit card companies.

[malyea]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

GoFundMe takes a bunch off the top.

GoFundMe took 3.2% (.032).

If you research relief organizations (Charitynavigator.org) you’ll find that many highly rated charities effectively take 10% - 20% (ie, after admin costs, overhead, etc many pass along 80% - 90% to the actual relief effort).