USVI Hurricane Irma & Maria Relief
Donation protected
All Hands & Hearts Volunteer Organization has approved Jen and I to travel to St. Thomas and aid in the clean up & restoration of the island!! We could not be more thrilled and plan to go between March & May of this year. We will be able to bring items for the locals in need and are requesting your help!!
Your donation will be used to purchase food, clean drinking water (all tap and spring water has tested positive for E. coli), medical supplies, mosquito repellent (Zika virus is spreading), clothes, shoes, toiletries... etc.
A link to All Hands & Hearts is here for you to see just how amazing this organization is!
Our Story & Why Your Donation Means So Much:
On September 3rd, 2017 Jen and I arrived in Puerto Rico for a cruise through the Caribbean islands. We were informed of Hurricane Irma a day before setting sail, and were reassured by the Carnival Cruise Line that we would be safe.
On the first day of the cruise, we docked in St. Thomas, USVI. We spend the day laying on a secluded beach, snorkeling and chatting with the locals about the hurricane.
We sat at the beach bar for hours talking to multiple bartenders who expressed serious concern for the damages the hurricane would cause. Specifically noting how the locals can only prepare their homes so much before a hurricane of this magnitude hits. One of the bartenders pointed out her home just across the water, sharing with us that she didn’t have shutters up yet, and was getting more and more concerned about having enough time to secure her home once she was done securing the bar.
Jen and I were admittedly naive about just how sever this hurricane would be, as we both had never experienced any large scale natural disaster. But, we both remember the fear that we saw among the bar owner and staff while they came up with a game plan for how they wanted to secure the tables, chairs, umbrellas and buildings.
That evening we were off to our next destination, but St. Thomas never left our hearts. It was one of the most beautiful places Jen and I had ever been, and we really connected with so many locals whom we have not been able to get ahold of post-hurricane Irma & Maria.
About half way through the cruise our captain came on the speaker and finally gave us some information about the hurricane. We were told that we were safe, and still heading to St. Croix, but to expect closed shops, restaurants and beaches. We were also informed that the damage from Irma was so sever that St. Maarten would not be able to accommodate us, or any tourists for 3 years. At this point we realized just how sever this hurricane was, and how many lives were being affected.
Walking around St. Croix was bittersweet. We saw businesses closed, debris from trees and buildings all over the streets and sidewalks, and children forced to go to work with their parents because the school was closed due to damages. Our taxi driver pleaded that we forgive the island’s condition and try to see the beauty through all the debris and damage. It broke our hearts to hear her plea, and really opened our eyes to the fact that without good weather, tourists won’t come. And if tourists dont come and spend money, the locals can’t afford to feed their families.
Flash forward to the end of our cruise- docking back in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our flight has been cancelled twice already, and we had just saw on the news the first look at the toll Irma was taking on Miami. Due to weather conditions and flooding, Jen and I were forced to stay in Puerto Rico for an additional week while we waited for a flight home. During our time on the island, we saw business that has been flooded, homes & businesses. without power, and downed power lines that had landed on top of cars and buildings. So many locals were relying on driving for Uber because it was one of the only things they could do to make money while out of work at their regular jobs.
Jen and I will always have a huge place in our hearts for Puerto Rico and the amazing people we met there. Seeing so many people without homes, jobs, water, food, medical supplies, power and basic sanitary needs was completely life changing and eye-opening.
We are all SO lucky and SO fortunate to have the things we have and live the lifestyles we do. But, not everyone is so lucky. And I really would love to be able to give back to those who have nothing due to these 2, completely devastating hurricanes.
Every dollar helps, people! Your support and donations will impact so many lives. Food, clean drinking water (all tap and spring water has tested positive for E. coli), medical supplies, mosquito repellent (Zika is present), clothes, shoes, toiletries... everything is needed! Whether you can donate $1 or $100, every penny will go towards buying supplies to bring when Jen and I go to volunteer in March.
Thank you so much for your donations! Jen, myself, and the people of St. Thomas & Puerto Rico greatly appreciate your help!
Sincerely,
Devon Nichols & Jennifer Sutton
All Hands & Hearts Volunteer Organization Website
Your donation will be used to purchase food, clean drinking water (all tap and spring water has tested positive for E. coli), medical supplies, mosquito repellent (Zika virus is spreading), clothes, shoes, toiletries... etc.
A link to All Hands & Hearts is here for you to see just how amazing this organization is!
Our Story & Why Your Donation Means So Much:
On September 3rd, 2017 Jen and I arrived in Puerto Rico for a cruise through the Caribbean islands. We were informed of Hurricane Irma a day before setting sail, and were reassured by the Carnival Cruise Line that we would be safe.
On the first day of the cruise, we docked in St. Thomas, USVI. We spend the day laying on a secluded beach, snorkeling and chatting with the locals about the hurricane.
We sat at the beach bar for hours talking to multiple bartenders who expressed serious concern for the damages the hurricane would cause. Specifically noting how the locals can only prepare their homes so much before a hurricane of this magnitude hits. One of the bartenders pointed out her home just across the water, sharing with us that she didn’t have shutters up yet, and was getting more and more concerned about having enough time to secure her home once she was done securing the bar.
Jen and I were admittedly naive about just how sever this hurricane would be, as we both had never experienced any large scale natural disaster. But, we both remember the fear that we saw among the bar owner and staff while they came up with a game plan for how they wanted to secure the tables, chairs, umbrellas and buildings.
That evening we were off to our next destination, but St. Thomas never left our hearts. It was one of the most beautiful places Jen and I had ever been, and we really connected with so many locals whom we have not been able to get ahold of post-hurricane Irma & Maria.
About half way through the cruise our captain came on the speaker and finally gave us some information about the hurricane. We were told that we were safe, and still heading to St. Croix, but to expect closed shops, restaurants and beaches. We were also informed that the damage from Irma was so sever that St. Maarten would not be able to accommodate us, or any tourists for 3 years. At this point we realized just how sever this hurricane was, and how many lives were being affected.
Walking around St. Croix was bittersweet. We saw businesses closed, debris from trees and buildings all over the streets and sidewalks, and children forced to go to work with their parents because the school was closed due to damages. Our taxi driver pleaded that we forgive the island’s condition and try to see the beauty through all the debris and damage. It broke our hearts to hear her plea, and really opened our eyes to the fact that without good weather, tourists won’t come. And if tourists dont come and spend money, the locals can’t afford to feed their families.
Flash forward to the end of our cruise- docking back in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our flight has been cancelled twice already, and we had just saw on the news the first look at the toll Irma was taking on Miami. Due to weather conditions and flooding, Jen and I were forced to stay in Puerto Rico for an additional week while we waited for a flight home. During our time on the island, we saw business that has been flooded, homes & businesses. without power, and downed power lines that had landed on top of cars and buildings. So many locals were relying on driving for Uber because it was one of the only things they could do to make money while out of work at their regular jobs.
Jen and I will always have a huge place in our hearts for Puerto Rico and the amazing people we met there. Seeing so many people without homes, jobs, water, food, medical supplies, power and basic sanitary needs was completely life changing and eye-opening.
We are all SO lucky and SO fortunate to have the things we have and live the lifestyles we do. But, not everyone is so lucky. And I really would love to be able to give back to those who have nothing due to these 2, completely devastating hurricanes.
Every dollar helps, people! Your support and donations will impact so many lives. Food, clean drinking water (all tap and spring water has tested positive for E. coli), medical supplies, mosquito repellent (Zika is present), clothes, shoes, toiletries... everything is needed! Whether you can donate $1 or $100, every penny will go towards buying supplies to bring when Jen and I go to volunteer in March.
Thank you so much for your donations! Jen, myself, and the people of St. Thomas & Puerto Rico greatly appreciate your help!
Sincerely,
Devon Nichols & Jennifer Sutton
All Hands & Hearts Volunteer Organization Website
Organizer
Devon Nichols
Organizer
Carlsbad, CA
