ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hurricane Dorian has left widespread damage in the northern Bahamas. Residents there are in dire need of food and supplies.
- HELPING DORIAN VICTIMS: List of National Businesses Assisting▼
Several local businesses and nonprofits are collecting donations for people in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian ravaged the islands.
HOW TO HELP: http://salvationarmybahamas.org/
Rescue efforts are underway. Bahamians are using jet skis and boats, risking their own lives, trying to save people from the dangerous flood waters.
The US Coast Guard and Britain’s Royal Navy are helping, too. Still, the Prime Minister said he expects the death toll to climb significantly over the next few days.
Hurricane Dorian was the most powerful storm to ever hit the Bahamas. One man whose wife drowned in the flood waters said he’s never seen anything like it.
"It came over the roof. I imagine 21 feet at the least. We were doing alright until the water kept coming up and all the appliances were going around the house like a washer machine. That's probably, I got hit with something in there. My poor little wife got hypothermia and she was standing on top of the kitchen cabinets until they disintegrated and I kept with her and she just drowned on me," said Howard Armstrong.
Many organizations are collecting both monetary donations and items like water, non-perishable food, and baby supplies.
Here is a continually-updated list of Bay-area organizations, businesses, and groups that are collecting relief supplies, hygiene items, and services for those affected by the hurricane.
Check back as we add to this list.
Hillsborough County
The non-profit “United As 1” is collecting items and money to send to the Bahamas for Hurricane Dorian relief. United As 1 formed in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria to provide aid to Puerto Rico. The most essential items, including water, diapers, and wipes, will be sent by boat and plane first. UA1’s president said there will be a crew on the ground to make sure items get into the hands of people in need. One item the non-profit has received requests for: can openers. UA1’s Vice President says they’re being told people have received canned goods but have no way to open them.
If you’d like to contribute, visit ua1foundation.org or e-mail unitedas1fl@gmail.com. Officials said they planned to place a container in front of T.A. Mahoney at 4990 E. Adamo Dr. in Tampa on Friday to collect items as well.
Pinellas County
There is a Bahamas benefit concert planned in Dunedin for this Saturday, September 2 from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Organizers say they still need company sponsors. All donations will be used for the Bahama Relief efforts.
The concert is at Edgewater Park. Grammy award winning artist Trae Pierce & the T-Stones will be there. For more information visit caringforthebahamas.com
Boats Gone Wild has set up a GoFundMe page to help those impacted by Hurricane Dorian. 100% of donations will go to relief efforts. For more information, visit the GoFundMe campaign page.
This Gofundme.com site is not managed by Spectrum Bay News 9. For more information on how the site works and the rules visit http://www.gofundme.com/safety
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County is collecting items for those impacted by the hurricane. Donations can be dropped off at either of their two locations:
- 13355 49th Street N, Suite B, Clearwater, FL
- 1350 22nd Street S., St. Petersburg, FL
Bay area pilots are collecting donations and supplies to bring to the Bahamas once the storm passes. A GoFundMe has been created to raise funds. (Spectrum News is not affiliated with nor does it endorse any personal online fundraising pages.) Go to the group's website to get information about what to donate and where to bring it. They're looking for: tarps, batteries, generators, nonperishable food items, diapers, baby formula, personal water filtration devices, tools, and cleaning supplies.
Maker 1 Marina in Dunedin is collecting supplies to send to hurricane victims in the Bahamas. Items needed include water, non-perishable food, tarps, baby supplies, flash lights, lanterns and first aid kits. Donations can be dropped off at 343 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin, Florida 34698. For more information, call 727-470-7171.
Sol Relief group uses a network of volunteer pilots to send much needed supples to the Bahamas.
Over 20 planes have taken off from the Albert Whitter Airport in St.Petersburg and are landing in several islands like Nassau, Treasure Cay, and Freeport.
“We are loading around 1,800 to 2,000 lbs per flight,” says Jennifer Lockwood, founder of Sol Relief.
To donate or volunteer at Sol Relief, visit the group's website. — Gabrielle Arzola, Spectrum News
Manatee County
Agape Flights in Sarasota has been flying supplies over to the Bahamas to help with relief efforts.
Organizers are expecting to be sending supplies for weeks.
To donate to Agape Flights, visit their website.
The Salvation Army in Bradenton needs volunteers to help sort through donations going to the Bahamas. Click HERE to find out more about volunteering.
Ellenton Urgent Care will collect supplies to donate to the Bahamas. Supplies being collected include water, nonperishable food, flashlights, batteries, first aid items, sanitation/personal hygiene products, baby formula, baby food, diapers, insect repellent, and sunscreen. The clinic will be collecting donations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Location: 4015 U.S. 301 N, Ellenton. Call (941) 531-2800 for information.
Pasco County
West Pasco Habitat for Humanity is collecting donations for those impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Donations can be dropped off at their New Port Richey location at 4131 Madison Street.
Polk County
SUN 'n FUN in Lakeland in partnership with the Aerospace Center for Excellence has organized a relief effort to send supplies to the Bahamas. A receiving station is being established on the SUN 'n FUN Expo campus to process and distribute supplies in partnership with Lakeland Linder Airport.
SUN 'n FUN started receiving supplies Friday and will continue to accept donations and schedule relief flights until supplies are no longer needed.
Those wanting to contribute may drop off at Hangar C on the SUN 'n FUN campus or ship to:
SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In
Attn: Bahamas Relief
4175 Medulla Rd
Lakeland, FL 33811
Three Polk County police departments — Haines City, Davenport, and Lake Hamilton — are partnering to accept donations for those devastated by Hurricane Dorian. Through the month of September, they will be accepting donations at all three police locations and at Miracle Toyota in Haines City. Needed items include:
Toiletries
Diapers
First aid items
Cleaning supplies
Canned goods
Box fans
Leather work gloves
Hand sanitizer
Non-perishable food
Water
Cleaning and baby wipes
Tents
Generators
Donations will be accepted in the lobbies at each location during normal business hours, and drop box locations will be set up outside the four offices that will be open 24 hours.
Donations are being collected in Lakeland. They'll be brought to the Bahamas next week. Food and supplies can be dropped off at Maurice's Auto Repair & Towing at 3025 Drane Field Road in Lakeland.
List of National Businesses Assisting:
NATIONAL
Red Cross
https://bahamasredcross.org/donate/
GlobalGiving
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-dorian-relief-fund/
World Central Kitchen
https://wck.org/news/hurricane-dorian
International Medical Corps
https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/emergency-response/hurricane-dorian/
Team Rubicon
https://teamrubiconusa.org/blog/readying-resources-for-likely-dorian-response/
Salvation Army
https://give.helpsalvationarmy.org/give/166081/#!/donation/checkout
Americares
Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation
https://www.gbdisasterrelief.org/about-us/
Water Mission
https://watermission.org/hurricane-dorian-response/
Project Hope
BahamaStrong (Miami Government)