On Thursday, October 6th, hurricane Matthew devastated the island of Grand Bahama as a category 4 storm. Many Grand Bahamians have been displaced after numerous homes and businesses suffered major damage, with entire communities almost destroyed Grand Bahama United (GBU) is a group of Bahamians with roots from across the archipelago dedicated to bringing immediate relief to the island with a long term goal of advocating for the is land’s further development.

GBU has organized a donation drive along with three staging facilities where individual donations can be collected and stored. These include New Providence Community Center, Blake Rd. (Primary Location) which will receive donations from 7am-7pm, Office of the Anglican Diocese, Sands Rd. (near PMH) which will receive donations 9am-6pm and Bahamas Striping, BAIC Industrial Park, Abundant Life Road near Chelsea's Choice which will receive donations from 9am-6pm.

Following an assessment in Grand Bahama, GBU is asking the public for their as s is tance in securing the following items;

• Water
• Tarp
• Cots and Bedding
• Feminine Hygiene Supplies
• Baby supplies (including diapers, wipes etc.)
• Adult diapers
• Cleaning supplies especially bleach
• Toiletries
• D-batteries
• Flashlights and battery operated lanterns
• Portable Gas Stoves and Butane Canisters
• Clothing (including new underwear).

Collection will begin on October 13, 2016 and continue as needed. GBU understands that many people in the capital were also severely impacted by these storms and may not be in the financial position to contribute the items above. Volunteers are needed however, and the public is welcome to contribute through time. Volunteers are being scheduled in 3-hour shifts at each loc ation, organized by our volunteer manager D’Asante Beneby. GBU is signing up volunteers to give a helping hand in Nassau and in Freeport through the Facebook page Grand Bahama United.

Grand Bahama United Lead Organizer Joseph Gaskins is grateful for the support already offered by corporate sponsors and the general public. He noted, “We are grateful for those who have already offered support including the corporate partners who are allowing us to use their facilities as well as Sky Bahamas, Western Air, Wide World Shipping and the Mail Boat Company who have agreed to assist with transport and The Bahamas Orthodontic Center who has offered both volunteers and supplies.”

GBU invites other corporate donors to come on board including those that might be able to offer volunteers food and drinks.

Donations in the form of cash and cheques can be deposited to First Caribbean International Bank in the name of Dupuch & Turnquest. For persons in the United States can make deposits to account #0228117 and locally to account #43202518.

For up-to-date information on the progress of the group, please visit facebook.com/grandbahamaunited.

Please direct questions to Joseph Gaskins, Lead Organizer at 421-4417; Anastarcia Palacious, Communications Correspondent at 558-1692, Davina Rutherford, Grand Bahama Lead at 727-5240 or
D’Asante Beneby, Volunteer Coordinator at 359-1908.

By Anastarcia Palacious

Source: The Social Light Media