PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Hurricane Melissa is leaving death and destruction in its wake as the powerful storm rips across the Caribbean. Officials in Haiti said dozens of people are dead or missing. Emergency aid has begun to arrive in Jamaica, though downed trees have cut off many parts of the island. Philadelphia-based relief organizations are taking donations and volunteers.
Dr. Kimisha Simpson said it’s difficult watching from afar as loved ones suffer the destruction of Hurricane Melissa, one of Jamaica’s worst storms on record.
“Having family in an area that was extremely impacted — in the parish of Manchester — has been really hard, being in the states and not being able to help in the way that I want to,” she said.
Simpson, who founded the nonprofit Ignite Jamaica Fund, is among those leading a groundswell of support in Philadelphia. On weekday afternoons, Besco Shippers at 54th Street and Baltimore Avenue is collecting donations. On Sundays, donations are accepted at True United Church in Ogontz. Key items include tarps, generators, chainsaws, medical or hygiene kits, and batteries.
Simpson said these are just some of the immediate needs, but for an area that was already on its way back from last year’s Hurricane Beryl, recovery will be a long haul.
“It’s going to take months to have any normalcy back on the island and for its people,” she said.
Monetary donations can be made to supportjamaica.gov.jm, or at Kingsessing’s New Testament Church of God. Volunteers are encouraged to email chris@jamaicaconsulatephiladelphia.com.
Donation drop-off locations
Types of donations
Philadelphia Mankind Basketball League is also springing into action.
For the last 12 summers, the organization has held a basketball camp in Jamaica, supplying kids in Treasure Beach with basketball gear, meals, lessons and more. Now, members are rolling up their sleeves to help restore the village, just as they did when Hurricane Beryl hit two summers ago.
“We went down with about 20 of us, fixed up the Sports Park, and ended up putting on a camp for about 1,000 kids, which was the highlight of theirs and our summer two years ago,” said Jake Kind, founder and executive director of PMBL.
He says they expect to work with the same foundation on the island this year to aid in the rebuilding efforts.
“BREADS is the foundation that we partner most closely with. They run the Sports Park, which we partner with. But during Hurricane Beryl, they were responsible for rebuilding 95% of that community.”
Kind says a fundraising effort is underway. So far, they’ve raised nearly $30,000, with a goal of $150,000.
Kind says they plan to be there for the kids next summer.
“These are the most resilient and resourceful people I've ever met, and they will rise again, but it's going to take some help, and hopefully, people at home would be willing to help us out.”
To donate, visit pmblcamps.com. The American Friends of Jamaica is conducting a $1 million matching program.
The PMBL will host a fundraiser on Nov. 18 at the La Peg Fringe Arts Center in Philly. All proceeds go to hurricane relief.