Loney Wilkinson (standing) and Keith Cooper have been bringing relief to hundreds of residents in West End, Grand Bahama. Photo: Denise Maycock/Tribune Staff

Denise Maycock finds community spirits raised as residents, Rotary and foreign visitors help restore life after Hurricane Matthew

THROUGH generous assistance and donations, West End native Keith Cooper has been distributing much needed relief supplies to residents in the devastated area of Grand Bahama.

There are still telltale signs of destruction visible in the hurricane-battered community, which experienced the full onslaught of Hurricane Matthew almost seven weeks ago.

But there are also signs of hope and resilience among the people there, some of whom have not allowed the grim circumstance and devastation of their community to shake their determination and faith, and to help others who are in need.

When The Tribune travelled into West End yesterday, Mr. Cooper, along with Loney Wilkinson, and his wife, Jennifer, of West End, were there. They have helped bring relief to hundreds of the residents in their community following the storm.

The two men, who can be best described as a dynamic duo, were able to come together and help many people immediately after the storm.

Mr. Wilkinson, who has a water pump in his backyard, allowed residents access to the device to get water freely. Mr. Cooper was moved by Mr. Wilkinson’s act of kindness and the two men connected.

“We needed water to wash our clothes so I come over here. And he (Mr. Wilkinson) was giving away all this water to people for free. I said ‘man, this is nice what you are doing’ and it inspired me to talk to him about what me and my wife, Linda, are doing with James Sarles and the Grand Bahama Sunrise Rotary Club,” he said.

Mr. Cooper had been contacted by Rotarian James Sarles, who brought a vehicle full of food and relief supplies to West End for distribution to residents.

“We had distributed so much stuff to residents in a day and a half, and when Rotary realised what we did with the first batch of food items, they brought $30,000 of food to us to distribute here in a more orderly fashion,” he said.

A 20ft trailer was donated by Jeremy Cafferata to Mr. Cooper for storage. It is being stored at Mr. Wilkinson’s property for safekeeping. Mr. Cooper also fills up brand new buckets from Home Depot, donated by Joseph Darville, with food items and gives it to residents.

He said that in addition to food items, they have been distributing detergent, feminine napkins, baby items and toys. There is also equipment for home building repairs, building materials, generators and cots being distributed.

In addition to Mr. Sarles and Rotary, Mr. Cooper said other people have helped him and have brought relief items to West End, such as Canadian Ken Williams, who donated a truck to help him with his relief distribution in the community.

Second homeowner Richard Hepburn, he said, has also brought thousands of dollars of items to distribute.

“I am so grateful to everyone who has come onboard to help us out here in West End,” he said. “People from the Netherlands are also committed to helping the relief effort here. They have collected money from their own citizens and came here and purchased items locally at BWA (Bahamas wholesale Agency) - they are spending and buying stuff here locally to help us.”

Mr. Cooper said they are hoping to receive more supplies and toys for distribution ahead of Christmas.

“We slowed down for the last five weeks and are now going to be doing individual give-outs to the elderly and families with children and babies, because quantities have dropped and donations have dropped,” he explained.

He indicated that Mr. Williams, a Canadian businessman, has promised to return to West End in December with toys for a Christmas celebration and distribution on December 21.

Mr. Cooper said NEMA has been very co-operative in clearing relief items that were brought in for distribution. There has been some distribution of relief supplies at the parish hall by the Catholic Church in West End and by the government, but not on the massive scale as Mr. Cooper has done.

“We just felt compelled to give to people as much as we can give them, and the donors are satisfied with what we have done and we have been transparent and have posted photos on Facebook,” he said. Mr. Wilkinson commended Mr. Cooper and his wife for what they are doing. He said the response from residents has been very positive.

“The residents really appreciate it very much. They have been very responsive whenever we sent word out that we are going to be issuing relief items and supplies,” he said.

“I would really like to extend thanks to Mr. Cooper and Linda, for what they are doing here in the community to help residents.”

Mr. Wilkinson said although many residents are still hurting, they remain in high spirits. He noted that they have witnessed many acts of kindness from people coming to assist them following the disaster.

“I want to also thank chef Sean and wife, Jillian, from Freeport who came down here a few times and brought hot meals for residents, and a lady from Pinder’s Point; we are grateful to them,” he said.

By Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport Reporter

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